Disclaimer: So, here's what's up - I make no claim to the show, manga or anything associated with Inuyasha or owned by Rumiko Takahashi


"Through others you are somebody." - African proverb


Chapter Six: The Vengeance

Miroku had long been in the care of youkai. It was just how he had lived. From the time he was twelve to the time he was seventeen he had studied on the sacred Mount Kurama, with the master yamabushi Monk Shinsen. He had long ago learned the martial arts and secrets of concealment and the youkai from Soujoubou, the king of Tengu. Traveled and met and studied in different languages, memorized the ancient laws, the history of the otherworld, Tokoyo. He had been warned by Soujoubou of the quick changes in the world when one is not involved in them, yet Miroku was still adjusting. When he left them to go to college in Kyoto, he was unsettled by how quickly one can become disoriented by the years that one missed as a child. But he learned quickly. He always had.

The young man stilled his heart and sensed the power around him. Combined, it was nothing close to Soujoubou, but it frightened him that the youkai could get past the shrine barriers without suffering extreme agony. Either they were the designated Chien-kami, the territorial gods, or they were too powerful to be affected by Kagome's power. Knowing Kagome though, and the accuracy with which she performed her jumon, this was highly unlikely. Miroku began to trod up the unending steps once more to the torii.

Thus it was that Miroku felt grateful to Soujoubou for the time he had spent with the boy, teaching him, training him in the ways of the yamabushi, yet not making him one of the Shugendou sect. For, without the familiar understanding of the aura of a daiyoukai such as Soujoubou, Miroku would have been bowled over by those in his cousin's presence.

And Miroku always liked to be prepared for anything.


General Tekkei pointed her sword to the sky, standing alongside Kouga, the second-in-command of the ookami forces that police Tokoyo. Kouga had just returned from the human world, weary and now confident, ordered by Chief Kai to assist the General Tekkei. The ookami had seen the Shikon no Tama's powers with his own eyes. He believed that she could win the war for them. The winds he controlled so well stirred the fur pelts he worse, a soft brown against the hard black and blue of his armor.

Kouga howled and Tekkei screeched, urging the Gokurakuchou and ookami forward in a flurry of feathers and fur. The sky was bleeding red into the dark and the multitudes of youkai screamed for blood. He rushed the front lines, meting the yaoguai head on, a clash of claw and sword, though he knew he wouldn't make it out alive. He slashed and hacked, yet still, there were always more. They kept coming. It never ended. He watched bitterly as his fallen brethren were recruited unwillingly to the enemy lines by Urasue the shaman. She stood on a hilltop far off beating on a drum and burning herbs. Kouga could hear her thin reedy voice carried by the breeze, singing the song that animated their corpses. He vowed to rip out those vocal cords with his claws.

A cry from beside him alerted him to his companion and he rushed to Tekkei's side. What he saw stopped him in his tracks, enraged him. The youkai's visage had been torn by blades, the flesh falling off in bits. Kouga bit out savagely, "Who did this?"

Tekkei's bloodied eyes turned to a small female that was grinning. She brought her sword above her head and sent it down upon the two youkai.

Tekkei's head rolled away and turned to dust, drifting away. Kouga had escaped with just a slash down the length of his back, hindering his movements only slightly. He bared his fangs at the nascent yaoguai goddess and she laughed, managing to sound amused and mirthless at the same time. "You're a fast one, little wolf. However, I am indeed quite joyous that I can inform you – I am so much faster."


Kagome laid her head against Inuyasha's chest, listening to the pulse of his life. She sighed, content to remain in his strong embrace, enfolded in the arms of the one who now knew her best. The power they shared, the unity that entailed...was awe-inspiring for them. The knowledge of their connection was still shuddering through her and she smiled softly, thinking of all the days it would be like that, full of contentment and wonder.

"Kagome..." Inuyasha murmured. His hand tightened on hers as the glow within them receded. They needed time to adjust, he knew, but there was none. Another week and his brother would call for them. Call them to battle. Are we ready? Can we become a unit? A force? Inuyasha ran his fingers through Kagome's hair. He had no idea what to make of these new feelings. Frankly it alarmed him, and he never liked alarm. Youkai were never supposed to feel at all like that. Even Sesshoumaru had not caved under the constant presence of Rin's overwhelmingly cute humanity. But he.... Inuyasha thought back to when he was a mere whelp. Perhaps he had softened because of that human woman Izayoi.... No. I mustn't think of her. I cannot afford to be distracted by those memories.

His head snapped up, his keen nose picking up a familiar yet unknown scent. Something mixed with what made parts of Kagome's scent and something that belonged to tengu. Is she in danger? He shook her shoulder, "Kagome. Someone comes."

The other youkai had gathered around them by then, forming a natural guard. Bankotsu grinned at Kagome and raised his enormous halberd, "Don't worry, little lady. You're one of ours now. It's only natural that we remain loyal to one of our companions." The others nodded their assent. Juuroumaru's eyes crinkled, an indication that either he was smiling at her or opening his mouth for want of a meal.

Kagome felt reassured, when she knew she shouldn't be. She felt that, indeed Bankotsu spoke true. She was one of them now. She was unsure of how she felt about that though. Her senses were sharper, though nowhere near as honed as Inuyasha's or any of the others there.

There were so many forest sounds that she actually had to focus for a couple of minutes in order to identify and understand what she was hearing. It amazed her. She was unused to having to do so in order to hear correctly. Kagome concentrated harder and before long, discerned what the youkai were listening to. She heard the faint jangling or metal rings, the clang of a hard surface striking against stone. Soft footfalls, betraying the confidence and benevolence of the walker, as well as the care taken with each step. Judging by the way he placed his feet and how much weight he allowed for each one...he was tall, light and most of his body mass consisted of bone and muscle. If I had known how to tell all of these things just by listening before I met Inuyasha I'm sure wouldn't've failed my human anatomy classes. She felt that this "walk" was familiar and not threatening...she gasped, delighted. He said he wouldn't be here until a week later.

"Cousin Miroku!" Kagome shouted joyfully. She was smiling so hard she felt like her cheeks were cracking. She pushed past the youkai and rushed into Miroku's outstretched arms. He spun her around and she laughed. I can't believe he's really back! She breathed in his comforting scent of incense and brass. "Geez, you're so tall!"

He laughed. "Yes, I am. Lord Buddha, it's been so long.

Kagome, who is this human boy? Her inugami immediately went on the defensive. He could not allow this foreign human to handle something so precious, so invaluable so carelessly.

My cousin. The illegitimate child of my estranged uncle Miyatsu with a tainted miko. He will help us...help me...to train for the upcoming battle.

Inuyasha met her gaze with a level stare. You have accepted your fate, Kagome? Truly?

She nodded ever so slightly. I have. I know what must be done and what I am now. Nothing he says will change that.

"You've grown into a gorgeous young woman, cousin. I always knew you would." Miroku suddenly turned somber, noticing the dark expressions on Kagome and her companions' faces. "These youkai. These are your comrades? Your friends?" He set her down on the ground. "I have much to discuss with you."

Kagome nodded nervously and led Miroku by the hand into the house. "Mom! Cousin Miroku's back! We're all going out to lunch to commemorate his return. Juuroumaru, Bankotsu and Sango are joining us. Is that okay?"

Her mother's voice drifted from the den. "Of course it is, Kagome! Just make sure you're back before dark!"

Kagome shot Inuyasha a look before nodding. Time to tell him everything.


Shiranora no Sesshoumaru stepped into the clearing deep in his brother's territory (labeled as neutral ground now that Inuyasha had left Tokoyo) and all eyes turned to him, as always. Inwardly he winced just the tiniest bit. Outwardly, he remained as stoic and composed. Rin was chattering, despite the intense pretense of disgust and awe that the others in the area made a show of putting up in a facade. Sesshoumaru gently told Rin to be quiet. She did so, for about two minutes. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes in fatigue. The rumors were already spreading. He despised the pettiness of the court that sometimes bubbled up and burst.

An inugami noble had called the council together once again: The Lady of Shinmei, Sesshoumaru's mother. The Gather was needed. The court was in complete upheaval over hat the Ruler of Saigoku had done to their enemy. Some thought that his actions would help war escalate into absolute genocide. Others wondered whether Sesshoumaru had not already half won the war for them. Some thought that it was a mistake to let Sesshoumaru command the armies, as his father had before them. The Autumnal Grove of in the Forest of InuYasha, the expansive region held in check by his brother, was the meeting place. The lords convened, loosely in a circle, all equal in the decisions they made, none one place above another. Here, servants were allowed to speak freely.

Lord Kai and his personal guard of peacekeepers were stationed around the clearing, the autonomous and rather large family of many tribes, the only enforcers of the law that Shippou had set. Kai himself stood at Shippou's side, guarding against any youkai that might not "agree" with Shippou's decrees. Sometimes such a thing occurred with the Judgment, and did so quite often with Shippou holding the current position for the past one thousand or so years.

Shippou sat, tranquil, on a bed of mosses surrounded by a ring of mushrooms under the shade of a willow tree. He crossed his legs as he surveyed the other lords' auras surreptitiously. They were fluctuating wildly, signalling great agitation and unrest. Well, he would fix that soon enough.

Here, Shippou was the judge, the law of the lands of Tokoyo, and here, in this matter, he was of great significance. His decision would affect the fate and existence of Sesshoumaru, and ultimately, the destiny of Tokoyo. Would the Commander be penalized for his action and Naraku with him? Rewarded for his choice to take action when none else would? Or reprimanded for letting his temper have an effect on the choices he made? What if Shippou did nothing in regards to this dispute at all? Let things work out on their own? Often this was the best course of action. Though, the youkai would wish for more, if they were in the mood for blood. What to do?

As the last of those that were summoned piled in and seated themselves Lady Shinmei called out, "Let the Proceedings begin." She turned to her son, Sesshoumaru, and the little girl at his side that was clutching his hand. "Sesshoumaru," she began, her eyes glittering. Clearly, she thought this all amusing. "Lord of Saigoku, inheritor of the Tenseiga, potential Commander of the youkai multitude in wartime, what say you of your actions?"

Sesshoumaru blinked once and looked to the sky. "I make no comment on my actions. What has been done is done. Nothing that any youkai says or tries to do to me will change this fact." Here, his eyes narrowed on Taigokumaru, the one who had called for the Gather in suspicion of his true motives and questioning his intelligence. Taigokumaru shifted uncomfortably and looked away.

Sesshoumaru glared and addressed the lords. "I received a message from the Goddess Warrior expressing a desire to meet with me to discuss the matters of the war. Naraku was with me at the time and suggested attempting to negotiate at peace."

There was quite a bit of muttering at this statement. This had surprised them. Sesshoumaru, the Killing Perfection, he who was the embodiment of poison in nature's beauty, negotiating for peace? Treaties? It was unheard of for one of Clan Shiranora to do so.

Sesshoumaru let hatred fill his gaze to the brim and overflow. "The message arrived upon my den in the form of Naraku's nephew's remains. Musou the Face-Stealer. He was ravaged. He had been infiltrating the ranks and army of the foreigners by putting on the guise of a traitor, feeding them menial information on us. Information our adversaries could have discovered merely by looking at our forces. He was becoming our key informant regarding their movements. The leaders either discovered his true purpose or merely grew weary of him. In any case, he is no more, and now we are just as blind as they. When I alighted, coming to the designated location specified by one of the twins, I was baited then attacked. I chose to kill her."

Abi-hime performed what less beautiful and refined ladies of the court would call a "snort". She smirked and would have made remark upon Sesshoumaru's judgement and rash decisions, something which he had admonished her about not too long ago. The expression that Shippou wore kept her from doing so.

Shippou glanced again at the lords of the court. "Do any youkai desire to bring his actions up for debate? I will hear your arguments."

Naraku was smiling softly, looking much like a dangerous animal sentient enough to plan murder. Silky and lithe, all deception and cruelty. Nightshade. Abi-hime kept her own council, unwilling to speak now, if she was going to before. Kai stood behind Sesshoumaru and Naraku in their decisions, and Ryuukotsusei seemed to be satisfied with the outcome. How easily they could be swayed with a few choice words. Sesshoumaru despised the vapid mindset of the court, but was glad in support from his allies and were the youkai that mattered, that held influence over the others.

Only Taigokumaru remained discomfited. "With all respect, Lord Sesshoumaru- your foolishness could very well be the end of us all."

Naraku lifted an eyebrow, amused. "How so? If Sesshoumaru had not defended himself he would not be here before us now, and the foreigners would undoubtedly have claimed another victory from us. They would have held footing in our realm, something that we cannot allow." The others behind Naraku nodded. Already, support for Sesshoumaru was growing.

A new and younger voice joined the discussion. "I think it a wise choice." It was Hakudoushi, son of Naraku, who had spoken, appearing no older than a boy of five years. He held his naginata over his lap, his personal attendant and guard Mouryoumaru kneeling at his side. He had coloring similar to Kanna, his elder sister, but marginally greater presence. Power practically radiated off of him.

Hakudoushi was Naraku's favored son, on the rise in terms of power and influence. He was merely an immortal human gifted with power, like Naraku, like the Kugutsu family line, and this boy had all the abilities of a strong psychic. Flying without wings, moving objects merely by mental will, bending space and time to transport himself anywhere and any-when he pleased, capable of creating a barrier through the energy he possessed, mind-speaking with his siblings.... The young lord was a force to be reckoned with. He held influence with the younger generation of youkai, under his ruling and not.

"I feel that Sesshoumaru cut the army's legs out from underneath," Hakudoushi declared, smiling eerily in an echo of Naraku's distinctive expression. "It is through diminishing the will for battle in the soldier that one gains an advantage over his adversary. Sesshoumaru has done so by easily killing one of their beloved leaders. This so-called war is already more than half won. With the strength of the Shikon no Tama, the particular talents of my brethren, the Shiranora gift of battle, and the four soldiers of my father's house, we are indeed at the head." Hakudoushi shook his head as though bored. "I see no reason for the Gather when all we must do is advance and kill."

"Do not decide the outcome just yet, my son. We have much yet to do." Naraku laughed his bemusement. "There are the peacemakers and the tengu to consider. The yamabushi as well."

Rin spoke then, surprising every being in the surrounding area. "Before Musou died, he whispered something to me. He said that it would change everything."

Sesshoumaru turned to Rin, his flinty eyes sharp as a whetted blade. "Why did you not inform me of this, Rin?"

She returned his look with a fierce one of her own. "I knew I had to wait until every lord was around so you could decide what to do about what I'm going to tell you." Sesshoumaru spared her a glance, revealing the slightest amount of shock. "I do have some sense, Sesshoumaru." He gaped. Usually, all Rin spouted were senseless rambling sentences about flowers and such. Intelligence of this caliber she had never displayed before. "Musou told me..."


They sat in the park watching clouds go by overhead, the day bright and optimistic. There was a family nearby, playing with it's dog on a picnic and Kagome tried to ignore their happy shouts. Miroku sat, legs crossed, directly opposite of her, while Sango and Inuyasha positioned themselves on either side of her. Bankotsu was just laying back, chewing on a long stem, and Juuroumaru was off dawdling somewhere.

Miroku decided to be the one to break the ice. "So where do you want to begin?" There was a distinctly awkward pause. "You are not really married to that youkai beside you, are you, Kagome?" he asked her gently. Kagome shook her head as her eyes teared up. She would not want Miroku to think less of her. He took her hand and smiled, "You had promised me you would marry me first when we were children, do you remember that?" He gathered her into a hug.

Kagome nodded, choking up and laughing through her tears at his feeble joke. She remembered. When they were little children, they used to play house together; Miroku was the Daddy, Kagome the Mommy and Souta had been the baby. It had all been fun and games. Until their powers had begun to show themselves. Then youkai kept appearing and interfering. "What happened to you Miroku? I haven't seen you in years and now, suddenly, you pop in out of nowhere?" Over the years they had regained contact with each other and kept in touch through emails, letters, phone calls, dreams....

"Yes...well..." Miroku slowly explained what had happened all those years ago. "Do you remember what happened when I was taken away? I had just been a little boy then but I remember so clearly..."

They had been playing by the koi pond and monks came in and dragged Miroku away. Miko held Kagome back as she struggled to get to him. It was speculated by the clan elders that the two children's powers might rebound off of and magnify the other one's. A seer in the family had seen the future, much like Souta could. That possible future showed that Miroku had deviated from the eightfold path, Kagome was lost to humanity, and only one would carry on the bloodline for the main branch of the Higurashi. They feared this happening, which it would, if Kagome and Miroku ever met again. The elders had Miroku taken away by a mountain hermit named Mushin for training and instructed by a Tengu elder in the art of warfare. Kagome, on the other hand, was kept far from him, safe in warded, sacred grounds at the head shrine. There, she was ordered to eventually choose a husband and groomed to become the Higurashi bloodline's heir.

Neither child had understood why things the way they were the day Miroku had been taken away. It was only later that Kagome and Miroku fully comprehended the enormity of both of their powers, and that they were a danger to each other.

"I'm sorry Miroku. This...what Inuyasha and I have...is so much stronger than any marriage." She didn't say what she wanted to say. Sorry that you came home to find that your cousin gave herself to the very beasts you despised for killing your family. Sorry that someone you loved had changed so much that she was now so unfamiliar that she didn't even recognize herself. Sorry that this reunion couldn't be happy or even normal. Sorry that our family is cursed. "I'm sorry. So sorry." Inuyasha thoughtfully looked away from the spectacle, aware that this was a private moment and that he shouldn't intrude upon it.

Thank you, Inuyasha.

A wave of warmth from Kagome's heart swamped him and spread through Inuyasha's limbs. The young youkai snorted, attempting fruitlessly to cover his bashfulness and embarrassment over the girl's gratitude, though he knew that Kagome could feel his emotions as though they were her own. Be quiet.

Miroku drew back from Kagome and winked, "Seems like I haven't exorcised enough of them. One slipped past me to get to my beloved cousin. But Kagome, I want you to tell me what's really going on. You haven't been completely honest with me, have you?"

Kagome shook her head. She looked equal parts miserable, relieved, chastised, and shyly happy all at once. "I...have an eternal bond with Inuyasha," she indicated her inugami, "something that allows us to share power and everything else so that we can become more powerful as one...." She trailed off unsure whether to tell Miroku of her deal with Sesshoumaru.

She looked to the youkai for confirmation and Bankotsu sat up, leaning on his left arm. He nodded once saying, "It's better if you do."

Kagome took both of Miroku's hands in hers. "Miroku...there is a war going on..."

Miroku nodded. "There are many wars in many countries. Such is the way of the world. Why did you bring that up? You haven't tried to become a dog of the military, have you?"

How do I tell him? What do I say? Kagome's lip trembled and Inuyasha rubbed her shoulder reassuringly. Miroku saw this and took note of the significance of the action. He saw that the female youkai sitting beside his cousin had had her eyes trained on him the entire time, obviously suspicious of his intentions. He returned her gaze, putting a little bit of intensity into it, and making heat rise to her cheeks in a modest blush. He smiled inwardly. He liked that he could still melt any girl's heart, if only for the briefest of seconds. College had certainly honed his knack for it.

"No," Kagome began tremulously, "I have been enlisted for service in the fighting forces of the youkai. Foreign beings are invading our lands."

Juuroumaru had come back, licking the sprinkles off of a vanilla ice-cream he had bought. "We would have you join us as well."

"The more the merrier, is that it?"

Kagome seemed wounded. "Miroku...you know it isn't like that. You know I don't see you as expendable or just another man in the ranks...but even if one more person can aid us in our cause.... It can make all the difference, you see?"

Miroku tilted his head to the side. "And if I decide that what you want and what I want will have nothing in common...if I decide to have nothing to do with you, what then?"

Sango's knife was at his throat. She was behind him, breathing the words, "Then you either die in our battle or die for our cause; it makes no difference either way," into his ear. He had not felt her move. But he was not alarmed in the slightest. He smiled and spoke a single verse: "On, noumaku sanmanda basaradan kan.... 'Unity', I pray...the radiance of thy divine grace shall pierce the heavens high...."

Sango yelped and clutched her forehead, jumping back and hissing like a wet house cat. Miroku smiled slightly again. "I would advise against attacking me. I have, in my memory, the Amitabha Sutra, the Prajnaparamita Sutras, the Avataṃsaka Sutra...In short, I can easily defend myself quite well against your assaults."

Sango spat on the ground before her savagely, muttering, "Bastard." Kagome glanced at her with surprise. She had not known Sango to be so vicious.

Miroku looked on with a quiet amusement, smiling slightly. "My answer would have been yes...even without your 'convincing argument', beautiful lady, as the wisdom in conquering these unnatural things is apparent." He stared at Sango with a strange expression on his face.

"Miroku, you would really help me?" His cousin was overjoyed. She knew, always did, that she could rely on her cousin. If ever there was a time where she was in trouble Miroku always backed her in whatever happened. When he wasn't off on one of his many liaisons or his school romances. "This means—ah!"

The ground opened beneath her and arms reached up to drag her down.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed the first name that came to mind, a name belonging to the one she knew would do everything in his power to protect her. Her hand was frantically grasping for him. He nearly reached her, arms outstretched, but he was too late and she slipped through his claws. The beings stared as one at the place where the miko had been.

"No..." Inuyasha's voice sounded hollow. "Kagome..." His partner was gone.

All hope was lost.


"Are you certain this is true, Rin?"

Sesshoumaru's expression was chilling just then, but Rin paid no mind to it. She nodded to her lord. "I heard it. She wishes to revenge herself on Inuyasha. And all that is dear to him."

Naraku grimaced his displeasure. Only his eyes, like the roiling depths of hell, revealed his dark fury. "Then, Little Kagome is in danger, and worse evils than those of Tokoyo lurk in the human realm. They will be seeking her soon."

Shippou bowed his head. Things were not going well. But it was the est they could manage. The youkai had to know that they would be victorious. They would not fight, else. "If she has not already met those dangers." He stood. It came time to finish the Gather. "And so it is agreed that Shiranora no Sesshoumaru will not be penalized for his actions, and thus take action immediately due to the discoveries that have been made to us?"

The lords and soldiers spoke in unison. "Agreed."

Shippou smiled and nodded. "Now, on the matter of the Commander, the one who will lead us in wartime. The time has come to formally decide: Who shall it be?"

Abi-hime snorted primly, if such an act was possible. "Lord Sesshoumaru, of course."

Shippou acknowledged the motion and inquired, "Are there no others that challenge Lady Abi-hime's suggestion?"

There were none. After all, who could contest the greatness of Sesshoumaru, first son of the late Inu no Taishou? Sesshoumaru, who resembled his father in most every way?

Shippou nodded once more. "Then it is done." He sat back down, glad to be done with the foolish accusations of Taigokumaru. He waved the cold Lady Shinmei forward and she announced, "Appoint your officials as you see fit, Lord General Sesshoumaru. We will await your instructions."

The Lords dispersed.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha howled, clawing at the ground in desperation. People were beginning to stare and gather around them. Miroku saw this and dispelled their curiosity with a prayer for remaining hidden and illusion. Thank the gods for foresight. Thank the Buddha for holy incantations. He sighed, taking Inuyasha's shoulder with a firm hand. "Calm yourself, inugami."

Inuyasha whipped his head around and shoved the young monk. "One of your family has just been captured by our enemy; I can still smell the putrid stench of the dead. The dead, bouzu. She has gone to the land of the dead. And you stand there, preaching to me about..." his expression tightened, his luminescent eyes inexplicably dark with rage. "If ever there was a time when I despised humans, it was nothing compared to the contempt I know right now."

Bankotsu grabbed his arm and yanked him back saying, "Nothing you can do about it right now. Just be patient—!"

Inuyasha tore his arm out of his compatriot's grip, mentally pulling on the connection he shared with Kagome. He felt a give on the other end, and his strength increased. He heard Kagome crying out to him....

Inuyasha.

She was frightened, defenseless practically. Just a human. "No." He unsheathed his saber, Tessaiga and howled out the cry that awakened his blade. "Rend the wind's scar! Now, Tessaiga!" The world stilled for many moments becoming red all around those involved with the youkai. Inuyasha plunged his saber into the earth and the surface cracked, gaping like a wide, voracious maw.

Miroku stood near the opening and gave Inuyasha a measured, calculating look. The air had stirred greatly, the winds restless now and violent. Inuyasha's eyes glowed dangerously, "Do not even entertain the thought of following lest you aid me." He jumped into the hole he made with the desperation of a man clinging to his final strand of hope.

Miroku sighed knowing he was left with no choice. The youkai were so clever about manipulating others' destinies to suit their needs. He, for the second time in his life, felt the exact same helpless frustration that Kagome experienced day to day. He looked at the others expectantly. "Are you coming as well?"

Bankotsu grinned and dived headfirst. Miroku laughed, his heart aching for reasons he did not understand, following his young cousin with the others close behind.


Higurashi Akari dropped her teacup. Her children, the little ones she knew so well, wherever they went...she couldn't sense their bond to her anymore. All she knew was that they went down, down, deep inside the ground. And it terrified her. Her lips trembled.

Her father turned to her, wondering. "Whatever is the matter, Akari?"

Akari put a shaking hand to her heart, "My babies. My children. They're gone from this world. I can't feel them anymore."

She wept.


Inuyasha fell for a long time, his robes whipping about him, the others soundless behind. The place all about him was dark and muted his senses but he could think about that just then. He had to find Kagome. I'm coming for you. Wait for me.

Miroku steadied Sango as she fell into the darkness. She wrenched her arms away from him, blushing slightly. It had been a long time since a human man had touched her, laid a hand on her at all. She was unsure of how this one made her feel.

"Do not touch me, human," she snapped, her eyes glinting in the darkness like a cat's. Miroku smiled easily and did as he was asked. He procured his shakujou from his person and set it before him.

"With my Kazaana," he began, "I can locate any one of my blood. Will you accept help from me, Lord Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha stared for a moment, looked defeated. Miroku marveled at how easily the heart of a man could weaken in the face of such disillusionment. Then he remembered, as Inuyasha recovered and nodded with steel in his eyes, that this Inuyasha was no man. He was youkai.

Kagome felt a dizzying amount of emptiness, cut off from herself, as though a piece of her was missing. Her heart was closed and cold. She cried out, hearing only the echo of her own sorrow coming back to mock her. Alone. She was completely alone. Mentally she searched for that missing piece, that part torn away from her so abruptly. Her head bowed, hands clenched tightly against her chest. She rocked back and forth, desperately trying to recall or maybe identify what it was...Inuyasha.

Her head snapped up. She tried calling to him. Inuyasha. Where are you, Inuyasha? ...Answer me! Silence, complete and overwhelming, blanketing her conscious with a stillness that belonged to winter, was all that met her internal screams. That tight bond they had formed, that secure and fulfilling connection, had been severed. Another cry loosed itself from her throat. Inuyasha!

No one would answer her. Since she had experienced a true joining, the solitude nearly crushed her spirit. However, Kagome was stronger than that now, and steeled herself against the despair. With great care, she felt around where she sat, kneeling. It was cold, like so many other things she had encountered lately. Hard, and lichen and mosses brushed, so gently, the tips of her fingers. Fresh and sharp was the air that filled her lungs and all about her the sounds of rushing waters reverberated imperiously. She could not see. She was inside of the earth. Underground.

Oh, god...okay think. If I got down here...then there has to be a way up from this place, right? So she rose, hesitantly, thinking that the ceiling of the might be low. She didn't want to hit her head on it. She reached up, feeling nothing but air, so she took a wary step forward, then another, until she bumped into a warm surface, smooth and hard in some places, yet heated and yielding in others. She pressed on it and nearly jumped out of her skin when a disembodied voice said, "What are you doing, Miss Higurashi?"

On instinct, Kagome reached out and (incredibly) hit who it was that spoke. "How dare you address me so familiarly. Who are you? Where am I? What do you intend to do?" She was getting angrier by the second. Dammit, I'm so tired of being jerked around. It's my life. I should be able to choose what to do with it.

"Peace, young girl. We mean you no harm. Not right now."

Kagome gave a start. The second voice was female, cultured, but it sounded of grave dirt and bitterness. She was just behind the young miko. Kagome focused on her newly acquired gifts, numerous in fact, and brought her youkai power to her eyes, making them in the likeness of a cat's eyes. She slowly turned around and saw – much to her surprise – herself.


Sesshoumaru stood in a room looking down at an illusion of the lands Tokoyo, shifting always, as the regions were wont to do. The expansive "map" before him and a few others he had called to join him rose up in a miniature replica of his domain. Shippou, the Judgement of Tokoyo, Suijin of the Waters, Naraku the Phantom Lord, Shiori the Palace Guardian, and Hakudoushi the Prince.

Naraku folded his arms, appearing pensive. He was appointed chief of information, running the underground of Tokoyo quite nicely. His children, each specializing in an area of intrigue were gathered with him. He was by far one of the most powerful youkai Sesshoumaru had ever come to know or acquaint himself with. That was high regard coming from the Commander, especially since Naraku had been human once, and was not long a Lord. He possessed the ability to bring anything into being, to withstand divinity. His power could not be overlooked. He was the polar opposite of Sesshoumaru, who could annihilate with a merely flick of his finger. Such two contradictions: Sesshoumaru of the night and moonlight, pale destruction; Naraku of the day's shadows and the human heart's fickle duplicity, dark creation.

Sesshoumaru addressed them, his hair glinting under the moon's light shining through the window. "We will discuss the battle tactics. Our army will be divided into legions of three hundred youkai each. Five hundred and fifty cavalry within each legion in battle. Am I clear in this?"

The company nodded. Sesshoumaru continued, "Hakudoushi. You are in charge of the cavalry. When charging you will lead the vanguard straight into battle. Light infantry will flank you on either side. Behind you will be the main body of the army. This will be lead by various generals within the Shiranora clan.

"Now," he pointed above the illusion projected before them into the miniature clouds, "in the air, I shall be directing the battle formations and fighting Shihong directly. I expect he will desire revenge for the murder of his brethren and thus make straight for me. Naraku. You shall fight alongside me with Kagura, the both of you flanking me and directing both aerial legions. Hiten will fight above the waters covering his sister from above. Suijin. You shall command the the navy in the sea."

Suijin nodded, asking, "And what of those that cannot participate? What of them?"

"Lord Kai. He will remain with your Peacemaker tribes on the ground protecting the defenseless youkai. Abi-hime will aid him. Taigokumaru. Your kin, those who have inherited the Shield will guard the gates and each Warrior of Naraku's Seven will protect them. I want Shiori placed at the main gate. We must not let the yaoguai pass into the human realm. It is our place. Our land."


Kagome shook her head, in absolute disbelief. This can't be real. Even after everything that's happened, I can't accept this...it's too.... "No, it's not..."

The woman stepped forward and Kagome's powerfully enhanced eyes could easily perceive the cold expression on that mirror-face. "Impossible? No. Improbable? Highly. But entirely real." She was so cold, Kagome could feel the chill of death and ages of hatred worm it's way into her own heart. Why? She could not understand. The woman hated everything about her in every possible way. "Listen to me and listen well, spawn of Naraku. I am the shade of the one who came before you. A miko who happened upon an inugami, who was mistaken for the Shikon no Tama, who was dragged into this hideous search for immense power for hundreds of years. You cannot comprehend my suffering. Tell that precious inugami of yours that Kikyou will be his end." She began to retreat into the shadows.

Wait!" Kagome reached for her but the dead thing was almost gone, and Kagome felt terrified once again. What is this thing? A zombie?

"It's interesting, discovering that my replacement is actually of my blood. Interesting to know that the blood grew more potent with each generation."

The male voice spoke now. "I would discuss something with you, Lady Higurashi, if you permit my doing so." His hand was already around her bicep, leading her towards the door.

Kagome twisted out of his grasp, "No." She backed away from him, eager to escape to Inuyasha. She could hear her shikigami calling into her mind, faintly. Kagome. Kagome, Inuyasha said. Wait for me. "No." He was close, she could feel him and his overwhelming presence. Comforting and safe. The sunshine and the damp shade...running through the forests...the clean scent of grass. All of these things came to mind as he drew nearer to her. "Inuyasha!"