Disclaimer:Never have and never will own Inuyasha. It's all Rumiko!

SMACK! Kagome's weakened body slammed into the wooden wall of the hut that Naraku had chosen to hide out in. The barrier put around it would prove too difficult for even Inuyasha's red Tetsusaiga to break through or the monk's spiritual powers. He would have no distractions.

Kagome hit the wall and slid down onto the stone floor. Blood ran out of her mouth and nose. There were cuts all over her face and hands. Her head was pounding from the abuse. Her thoughts spun as she tried to grasp what exactly was going on. Red stained the floor as she spit out blood. She knelt on the floor and held herself up with her hands as she waited for another attack. Would she die here? She desperately tried to remember how to use her spiritual power. Every time she tried to accumulate enough power to do anything, Naraku just attacked her again.

Evil laughter echoed in the room as Naraku grabbed Kagome by her collar and lifted her into the air. "Poor miko. Will you die before your beloved Inuyasha is able to get to you? Don't worry; he will follow you into the afterworld shortly after." Naraku dropped her crumpled body onto the hard floor. He kicked her hard in the ribs before walking away to a distant corner. He continued to laugh evilly as he watched the young priestess grab her chest in pain. He heard cracking as soon as his foot made contact with her ribs.

Kagome was pissed. The mention of Inuyasha dying to her half-unconscious mind lit a fire inside of her. She let the rage fill her vision and mind and felt it grow with every new bit of laughter that escaped the despicable villain's mouth. The power escalated within her. All pain faded as she lifted her face defiantly towards Naraku. She smiled bitterly when she noticed the shocked look on his face. A faint blue glow began to grow, followed by a huge explosion…

Inuyasha quickened his pace as a new smell reached his nose. Kagome's blood. There wasn't as much as the other night, but even a small droplet of Kagome's blood had Inuyasha worried and on edge. He skidded to a stop right before a strong barrier. It surrounded a medium-sized hut and every inch of it pulsed with power. His mind never allowed him to second guess anything; not when Kagome was involved. Grabbing Tetsusaiga out of its sheath, Inuyasha pointed the demon-sword directly at the barrier. It pulsed once before turning a deep red color. Inuyasha let out a battle cry as he thrust the sword directly at the barrier.

Lightning raced through the sword and up into his arm as the powerful shield denied him access. Even red Tetsusaiga wouldn't work! A moment of panic wiggled itself into his thoughts as he was thrown backwards and onto the ground. Dirt covered his hair and haori and it was all he could smell. It was a moment of gratitude as it covered up the sickening smell of Kagome's blood.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled, his anger now turned to fury. If anything happened to her…He threw himself at the barrier again, not willing to accept defeat.

Just as he was about to launch himself into a third attack, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo, all riding on Kirara's back, arrived.



"Inuyasha!" Sango's voice interrupted his thoughts of revenge and fear for Kagome's well-being. Kirara landed with a soft thud as her passengers dived off and ran towards Inuyasha. The rings on Miroku's staff jingled as he came to a halt next to Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha, what is going on in there?" Miroku eyed the barrier suspiciously. It was Naraku's. The strength was immense and the monk could feel that even his powers would be no good against this. The only person who could tear this down was a priestess of immense power. 'Kikyo, 'he thought bitterly. 'That's a bit ironic.'

"Kagome is inside," Inuyasha said under his breath. He was panting from all the force he was pouring into Tetsusaiga. Leaning on his sword, he put his head down to allow his eyes to be hidden underneath his bangs. Sorrow and fear emanated in them for a moment before he threw his head back up and glared at the barrier. "She's in trouble. I can smell her blood."

Sango and Miroku turned to stare at the barrier. Hatred instantly filled their minds. This was Naraku's doing. Could they save Kagome in time and enact revenge upon their long-time rival?

Miroku placed a restraining hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. "We are all unable to break this barrier." His eyes cast to the ground. "It doesn't do any of us any good to pointlessly attack." Inuyasha glared at Miroku as the truth settled into him at last. 'Kagome…'

Naraku was thrown back against the wall as the huge explosion hit him right in the middle. His body broke apart and began to drift in midair. Likewise, the power surrounding Kagome lifted her upwards as she hovered a few feet off the ground. Lightning snapped around her and licked at Naraku's broken body. He smiled evilly.

"I shouldn't have underestimated you, girl. I should have taken your jewel shard when I had the chance. Oh well, I will be back to take it later, along with your head. Your death would destroy him more than I ever could," his booming voice turned into maniacal laughter as an orb of aura surrounded him in a protective barrier.

Kagome's spiritual power waned at the thought of her death hurting Inuyasha. 'He wouldn't be that hurt. Not for long anyway. He always has Kikyo to return to'. The thought of Kikyo instantly re-kindled the flames of her anger. Lightning coursed through her body as she was hung in the air. Her back arched at the sudden discharge of energy. The walls of the house began to burst apart. Wood and stone was flying everywhere. Kagome's power continued to grow until she saw that Naraku was gone.

Taking a gulp of the cold outdoor air, Kagome calmed herself. Slowly, she floated back to the ground. Falling to her knees, Kagome wiped the dried blood off of her lips with a pink handkerchief. Sighing, she collected herself and climbed to her feet. Taking a few wobbly steps, Kagome saw the full extent of her power. The building was in ruins and the barrier surrounding it was completely gone. Her comrades were staring blankly in her direction. Inuyasha sheathed his sword and took a few steps towards Kagome. Seeing her stagger, he sped up his arrival to her side.



Kagome let herself fall into his shoulder. He braced her as he wrapped one arm around her shaking body. Using every bit of her strength, Kagome pushed herself out of his arms.

"Inuyasha…" she said, almost under her breath. She wouldn't meet his eyes as she fiddled with her fingers.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha was curious in her sudden change of mood. She had never pushed him away before.

"Sit." The word was so gentle from her mouth, but the beads of subjugation were not biased to Kagome's mood. Inuyasha slammed into the ground as Kagome stepped away from Inuyasha towards Sango. Inuyasha's nature wouldn't let him show understanding. He knew she had a right to be angry with him. She didn't know why he visited Kikyo, why he had to kiss her goodbye. His nature would only let him show anger. He waited for the pull of the beads to stop before pulling himself up quickly. Kagome was talking silently to Sango as she nodded her head slowly. Kirara listened in, cocking her small head to the side, ears twitching.

"Kagome…." The anger in Inuyasha's voice was unmistakable. He raised one fist up to add to the intimidation as he waited for her to turn around. She ignored him as she climbed on top of the transformed Kirara. "Where do you think you're going?" He knew she wasn't his property, but he couldn't help it. She felt like she was his.

"I'M GOING HOME, STUPID!!" Inuyasha's ears fell back against his head as her scream carried enough air to move his silvery hair as if in a breeze. He leaned farther back as a blue glow began to grow around her. She was angry; she was REALLY angry.

Before he could get another word out and start an argument, Miroku's staff connected with his head. Inuyasha felt the bump grow as he turned his attention to Miroku. Seeing her chance, Kagome whispered to Kirara, and off they flew. Even as Inuyasha hit him square on the head, Miroku couldn't help but smile a winning smile.

'Oh how easy it is to fool the simple minded.'

There. Some closure for once. But what will Inuyasha do to win back Kagome's trust? And what about Kikyo? Can he really just forget her?