(revised)

..:~*~:..

"Sango! Miroku!" Kagome gasped between breaths, stumbling over rocks and stand-up roots. "Come quick! Inuyasha is-!"

At the sound of her exasperated voice both had jumped up in surprise, grabbing their weapons. They're eyes grew big at the sight of her, holding her stomach as she breathed heavily. Sango asked, "What is? What's happened to him?"

"What has he gone and gotten himself into now?" Miroku stepped forward, stumbling a little awkwardly.

"Kikyo...and him are going to find Naraku...to through him into hell...Inuyasha, and the jewel...will be dragged with her!" As she was saying it she could feel the chills the very thought of Inuyasha being sent to hell sent through her.

"We have to go help him," Shippo said, his voice awfully high pitched.

"In this state Inuyasha will be powerless to do anything to protect himself, " Miroku stated as he and Sango jumped onto Kirara. They all started off at a quick pace, but because of Kagome's state they could go as fast as they'd liked.

Sango thought a moment, reflecting on past experiences with Inuyasha and Kikyo, "I wonder if he even knows what he's getting himself into."

"If I know Inuyasha, he's probably all hung up over Kikyo and following her every step," Shippo said sourly.

Kagome frowned at the thought of this; she never liked it when Inuyasha went off to see his dead ex-lover, much less when the group talked about it like they were doing now. This was the whole reason she had given up on him in the first place, because she knew one day he'd be forced to choose between them and everyone regretfully knew who he'd choose. And he would do it without a second thought.

Sango happened to look over her shoulder and caught a glimpse of the look that was spreading across Kagomes' already exhausted face.

"Hey, Kagome..." She began.

Kagome snapped up, "Oh sorry," she waved it away. She had to get ahold of these resurfacing feelings before she let it go too far. "I'm just worried about him-er-that he's secret will be let out," She pressed her fist to her mouth, reminding herself to shut it.

Miroku shouted above their dying conversation, "Look! I see him! And Kikyo!"

Kirara landed ever so neatly behind the couple, making Inuyasha turn in a jolt of surprise.

"What are you guys doing here?" He asked without showing much relief.

"What do you think we're doing here? We were worried about you!" Kagome yelled at him out of instinct. No matter who much she tried she couldn't get her feelings back into the little bottle they had been securely hidden in until just a few short nights ago. The anger bubbled up inside the pit of her stomach, burning, and up into her throat forcing her voice to be utterly unmerciful...no matter the raising pain in her wounds.

"If you ask me, you shouldn't have bothered," Inuyasha said cooly. This stung Kagome.

Shippo hung his head and shook it from side to side, Miroku doing the same. Sango just let out a deep sigh wishing she could slap the hell of that dog.

Kikyo, who had chosen to ignore all of them, had kept walking and was far ahead of the group. Inuyasha turned just in time to see her disappear into the distance. Without a glance behind him, he ran off in her direction not saying another word. Kagome trailed halfheartedly after him and the rest just followed behind. Now what?

Sango ran up to Kagome, "There's a really strong cloud of miasma up ahead."

Kagome just narrowed her eyes towards the bruised colored smoke that rose in the horizon. It seemed so close.

..:~*~:..

"Kikyo," came the smooth, lethal voice. "What are you doing here? At my castle?" Naraku asked through the darkness surrounding him. He sat in the center of a very large and empty room, eyes shut, and what could be passed as lights dimmed by his over powering aura. His powers spread over the land sensing every living thing that moved. Kagura wasn't there, he had sent her and Kohaku on another quest for him quite some time ago. They barely even crossed his mind, or anyone else's.

His eyes flashed open and he spread out his hand, "After my jewel no dout," Naraku's conniving face formed a wicked smile.

"And accompaning you is your little Kagome, that pitiful copy of your's, "He shook his head as though he were mocking them all. "Sango, the demon slayer, and the monk, Miroku. But..." He seemed slightly disturbed at not being able to know who the last presence was. After sorting through his senses a bit a small, evil laugh filled the empty air. He realized who it was.

"Inuyasha? You dare show your face before me on the night you lose your demon powers? Foolish half breed. Now you can be sure I'll get rid of you. I'll show you all that your attempts will go in vain."

A deep purple smoke engulfed Naraku's body, his laugh becoming louder and more deviant.

..:~*~:..

Kikyo, who had ignored the entire group and Inuyasha the whole short walk they had trailed her, stopped walking. She looked as though she were listening to something that no one else could detect. Inuyasha cursed his luck of being without his hearing. Everyone's attention was drawn onto her.

"Naraku is coming." Her voice was flat, non-excited nor frightened.

Shippo jumped back in terror, "W-what? Already?"

Inuyasha smiled broadly and clenched his fists. "Alright. That saves us the trouble of dragging him out of that damn castle of his."

Kagome came to his side, "Inuyasha, please, you know you won't be stong enough. He'll kill you quickly, you know that," She looped her arm around the inside of his, begging him not go. Again she had to remind herself that her pleas were one of one good friend to another...nothing more.

"Yes," Miroku agreed. "Naraku would usualy be afraid of you, Inuyasha. Now he would not hold back the chance to destroy you while you're so..."

"Weak?" Inuyasha finished for him grudgingly, wincing as he said it.

"He's not at all the noble type. He's a coward, so taking a cheap shot like that won't have any second thoughts," Sango stepped to the other side of Inuyasha, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I don't care. As long as I'm here, he's not going to touch Kikyo," Inuyasha looked at the castle hard as if the huge establishment were Naraku himself.

Kagome looked to the horizon, wishing desperately under her breath to see a glimps of the morning sun. To her overjoyed relief, she could see it! Just a peak, but it was coming. This was also worrying because now Naraku would be in a hurry to kill Inuyasha. She prayed for the sun to hurry up.

"Kagome, Inuyasha could get really hurt!" Shippo pulled on her sleeve as he clung to her back.

Kagome looked down in remorse, "No Shippo, if Naraku comes he will get really hurt...he'll be more than really hurt."

Shippo swallowed hard.

"Inuyasha," hissed the familiar voice.

Kagome jerked to the sun...not quite yet, her heart sinking. Naraku was looming in the sky in front of everyone.

"Ha! Where's all your minions Naraku? You usually have yourself surrounded by them. You're such a coward," Inuyasha sneered arrogantly.

Kagome started to shiver with anxiety. 'That's right. Naraku never shows himself unless he's absolutely sure that he won't be hurt! Damn you Inuyasha, please be carefull!' For some reason she could tell this was really Naraku...she couldn't put her finger on it but the upset she felt inside her body told her that this was nothing more but the real thing.

Naraku laughed quietly to himself, "You shouldn't be talking so boldly, seeing as you are now just as weak as any other human."

Kikyo interupted them, "Naraku, leave them out of this. I am the one who came for you."

He turned his attention to her. He took one look over her, "And you, dying priestess, have come here to drag me to hell with you." He laughed again. "I will not be defeated so easily-" Naraku held out his hand, and opened it. In the center of his palm he held a very nearly completed jewel. "-you see, as I have nearly the whole sacred jewel to myself. And you, Kagome, have been kind enough to bring me the rest."

One of Naraku's fleshy demon roots burst foward from under his body and wrapped itself tightly around her stomach. Kagome gasped, the pain rushed forward through her stomach up into her head; she knew her wound would had to have reopened. She struggled and kicked as much as the pain would allow. Miroku and Sango tried to cut through the root with anything they could throw at it, Kirara biting through it with her fangs. But all they seemed to have accomplished was sending even more bursts of miasma smoke. The root retracted, sending the three of them hurtling backward, and brought Kagome just a mere three inches away from the face of her most powerfull enemy. She didn't want to scream. In fact, she didn't have the urge to. What would be the point? Inuyasha doesn't want her...

But at that moment, Inuyasha's golden eyes were set directly at her, wide, "Kagome." He growled low dangerously, his threat came slowly, "You let her go. Don't put any of your nasty body on her!"

"I guess I should thank you, Inuyasha. Being so distracted by Kikyo, you gave me the chance to grab the rest of the fragments," Naraku slipped his part of the jewel away into the folds of the writhing body below him, out of sight. He held his hand just above Kagome's transfixed face, his nails grow like thick, black talons.

She felt the dark power surge her body. The stench was unbearable, she wanted to be sick. Her whole body felt cold and dead. She could feel the energy through her fingers and toes and face.

He smirked, "I can see all your strife," He said to her under his breath, alluring. Good thing she's known him long enough not to fall for it, but if she didn't get away quick she felt as though she wouldn't hold on. "Seems she's giving up on you, Inuyasha." He let the statement settle in Inuyasha's mind. "After I posses the rest of the shards I'll just do her a little favor and rip her to shreds."

"Don't you dare!" Inuyasha yelled, enraged. There was no way he would lose her.

Naraku grabbed the bottle that Kagome had tucked away and spilled the pieces into his hand. All the jewel shards started glowing with his dark light. Kagome's eyes watched, horrified, as they formed together and created the full jewel right in Narakus hand! How long had it been since she had seen it? It seemed like a lifetime ago.

'Oh no! What am I going to do?!' She thought frantically.

Naraku tightened the root that held Kikyo's copy, and she groaned in pain. It was the only little bit of air she had had left in her lungs. Inuyasha was frozen with fear and anger and hurt and confusion. What he should do? His head turned to Kikyo. His heart began to ache fiercely. He felt torn in two again, only this time he was really going to rip apart. His heart was forced two different ways. It knew that it was his time to decide. No more arguing with himself; it was time. One or the other. To hell or stay here. What he felt was his duty or what he knew was his heart's desire. Oh damn him for being so human! Damn these confounding feelings that drove him to the edge of sanity! He had been so in love with Kikyo, almost given everything of and about himself up for her things would have been so perfect for them...

But Kagome...she was there now. She had always been there. Stood by him. Fought with him. Put up with him. Carried the enormous amount of grief he forced her to carry. Why would she do such a thing? He knew why

Duty or heart's desire. That was it! Inuyasha felt a jolt, like lightning, jab through his entire body, riveting up into his brain and exploding into a million pieces. Now he understood, he knew who he wanted to be with, the one he would always want, the one he'd protect and be there for.

Kikyo narrowed her eyes at Naraku as he let out an evil laugh for his accomplishment. She stood heself up weakly and walked over to the roots lashing out of his body. The winds lashed at her as their growing aura's clashed together; their winds grew wild and whirled around the evil demon in freezing then boiling blasts, whipping at his hair and face. The souls in her body were quickly making their decend. Kikyo's energy was leaving her clay born body...and her life was coming to an end.

"It's time for both of us to leave this world...Naraku! We do not belong here anymore!"

Naraku, suddenly bewildered at the melee that was unfolding, dropped Kagome. The ground beneath his massive body began to crack and shake violently. Then, the earth opened up. The crevice wasn't very wide, but it was deep. Miles and miles down. Flames jumped out of it barely licking the faces of those standing close by. It went down to the red pit of hell itself. Naraku tried to move away but the harsh, clashing winds blew him back into the growing void. Kikyo felt the fear rise in her heart but didn't dare show it, nothing would stop this. Instead she placed a hand on one of the roots of the very powerful and very terrified half demon. Her hand glowed a silvery blue and melted the very flesh it touched. The light traveled up and over to the rest of his grotesque body. Naraku was now yelling in anguish realizing these would be his death throes.

Inuyasha gaped as Kagome lay right in the middle of everything...and wouldn't wake up! He yelled for her and treid to get into the distraught auras but was only being reverted backwards by the spell. He put his arms in front of him trying to stay steady. He could feel Kikyo trying to call to him, to get him to follow. Sango threw her Hiraikotsu at the swirling vortex but the wind whipped it back at her, barely missing her head as she ducked. Shippo was hiding, afraid the huge amount of wind would carry his tiny body away. Miroku pulled a paper spell from his clothing and threw it into the weakest point in the wind, and created a momentary hole in which to enter. He quickly jumped through and hurried to Kagome's side. He shook her but she wouldn't open her eyes; the ground was starting to crumble down beneath their weight. Miroku had no choice, he picked her up onto his back and ran for the spot where he had entered.

He reached into his clothing...but there weren't any more spells! Dammit. He looked back at Naraku, Kikyo still holding him in her last bit of strength. In that second, the two of them fell; it was almost graceful in doing so. Kikyo screamed as she fell backwards, Naraku lashing at her one more time, ripping her back. Her eyes were wide and fixed on Inuyasha...a single tear floated just above her face. Inuyasha watched as she fell, just out of his reach. The wind started to dissipate and Miroku took his chance. He jumped through holding tight to Kagome and ran past Sango, grabbing her arm without stopping and leading her away.

With Shippo and Kirara clutched to Sango and Kagome under his arms, Miroku did his best protecting them as the winds grew and grew...and then, subtly started to die out; the earth began to close back up, Inuyasha paralyzed with shock. He kept his arms up to protect himself from the winds. He had taken out his sword, even though it wouldn't transform and used it to steady himself.

Then, out of no where, the winds suddenly stopped. The sky lightened and the crack in the earth where the pit to hell had been just a fraction of a second ago was gone. If he ddn't know better, Miroku would have thought it all an illussion.

All was silent for minutes that seemed frozen in time. Inuyasha dropped to his knees, his eyes still wide. Shippo poked his head out from Miroku;s overhanging clothes, his hair a afro-like mess. "I-is...that it?" He asked so quietly it would seem like the voice of a tiny insect. Sango let her grasp on her little Kirara losen, the little feline coughed a few times, and she looked up. Miroku moved to the side, still holding a limp Kagome in his arms. He tried shaking her gently again but she still wouldn't wake up. It was only then he had noticed her wounds had reopened. The blood was all over him. How much had she lost?

Inuyasha turned his head slowly to Miroku, "Show me your hand."

Hesitantly, Miroku layed Kagome on the ground and pulled out his right hand, took the beads and cloth away, and opened to reveal his bare palm. The tiny black hole, recieding into nothingness, was his wind tunnel. He stared at it unbelievingly.

Sango took his hand in hers, looking it over herself, "It's...gone."

Inuyasha breathed out a long breath, the sun came over the distance, it's light spilling across the ground. It only took a short moment. His silver hair gushed around him, his eyes shone bright and golden. He could smell her. Her body, her hair. And he could smell the blood. "Kagome!" He suddenly jumped up, guilt washing over him. How he was tired of this guilt.

"She's here," Miroku said calmly. Inuyasha sat beside Kagome. He knew what he wanted now. The tears that rolled down his tired face were hidden from the rest. "Kagome..." Inuyasha breathed again. He reached out and lifted her head to bring her to his chest. "I-I'm sorry." He admitted it to himself...now he'll let her know. He was going to tell her that he was in love with her.


So? How do like the story so far? Unbelievable that so much has happened already...more to come!