He ran as fast as he was able, nearly screaming for help, but afraid of drawing Kikyo and Inuyasha's attention if the woman noticed he'd gone missing. This was the way Inuyasha had gone, the way Kagome and the others were. He had to get there before the half demon did something stupid and hurt Kagome. Shippo knew that he had to hurry.

*

She nearly fell as she skidded to a stop, found herself nearly staring into his eyes. "Inuyasha, please…"

"Don't. You can't fool me anymore. I'm tired of hearing you try." He swiped at her, yellow ropes of power trailing from his fingertips.

Kagome screamed and fell back, pushing herself as far away from him as possible.

"What? Can't fight on your own so you're going to hide inside of a girl's body and hope I can't bring myself to hurt you?" He took another swing, "Well I know you're only pretending, so I don't have a problem killing you."

"I'm not pretending anything." Kagome pushed herself to her feet, jumped back again, "Stop it!"

"I'll stop when you're dead."

*

He dodged the sword strike and came up with a lash of his whip. Gorimaru was forced to jump back. He laughed a little to himself, but otherwise betrayed no emotion. He wanted to destroy his enemy, to tear Gorimaru into small pieces and watch those crumble and become dust. He would take a lesser death, would not find the same satisfaction in it, but would accept a death as a death.

"You will never defeat me Sesshomaru. You were no match for me before, why would you be now?" The cat sneered, a small smug smile curling his thin mouth.

"I'm afraid my mood is rather dour, I will not be so easy on you as I have in the past."

"Such arrogance." Gorimaru paused, "Tell me, do all dogs brag as you do or can the others back up their claims?"

His anger surged, becoming at least partly his master. This mangy feline dared to commit such atrocities toward him and speak to him in this way. Sesshomaru would not allow it. Claws extended he swung. He was hungry for blood, in a way he had not been for a long time. He longed to transform, and crush this creature in his jaws, but the room was far too small, and the candles would burn him, the molten wax stick to his fur. He would not be able to maneuver properly and would make himself an easy target. He would have to kill Gorimaru in this form.

*

"Did you hear that?" Sango turned in the direction of the scream, the same way Kagome had gone with Inuyasha.

"Kagome and Inuyasha must have come across something they hadn't expected." Miroku murmured, "Looks like reconciliation will have to wait. Shall we help them?"

"Miroku! Sango!" They turned away from the scream to a shrill voice screaming their names as a child fox demon came skidding to a halt in front of them.

"Shippo, Inuyasha didn't say you were with him."

"You have to stop him, he's going to kill Kagome." Shippo's breathless voice could no longer support the volume of a yell.

"He's going to what?" Miroku started into the trees.

"He came to kill Kagome. He thinks she's a demon in disguise."

"Why would he think that?" Sango picked up the fox and began to run to the path her two friends had taken.

"Because I told him so." This voice was calm and collected. They froze at the coldness of it for a moment before turning to the source.

"Lady Kikyo." Miroku stared at the priestess, "You were destroyed in your attempt on Kagome's life, how can you have returned?"

"A certain demon that had need of my assistance to kill a certain young woman."

"How have you convinced Inuyasha to do this?" Sango demanded.

"She stole his heart, I saw it." Shippo cried.

"What a monster you've become, using tricks and black magic to force others into murder." Miroku appeared furious, he was reaching to open his wind tunnel. "Kikyo, you were once a great priestess, known for your power and goodness, now you are nothing more than a witch."

"Be still monk." Kikyo smiled at him, "If you suck me into your palm I take Inuyasha's heart with me, and he will be a walking shell, bent on revenge and destruction until the end of time, if he survives." Her smile dropped, "Most likely once you close up that tunnel, the connection between Inuyasha and his heart will be severed. Then he will die. Tell me monk, can you live with yourself if you kill your friend?"

Miroku hesitated, posed to remove the beads around his palm. "No Miroku, if she's right Inuyasha will die. He's under a spell and he needs our help as much as Kagome." Sango announced as she caught his arm.

"Right, but we have to help Kagome first. She's in the most danger if Inuyasha really means to kill her." Miroku pulled away from her, turned away from Kikyo and back to the path. "We have to hurry."

"I think not." A low word accompanied a thin powder that fell over them. It began to glow and as each of them struggled to continue it became impossible to move, and speaking was equally as difficult. "You will not interfere." She smiled at them and walked a few steps closer to the path than they had made it, "If Kagome is not dead already she will be soon. I would enjoy seeing that I think." Kikyo announced as she continued down the path.

*

"Inuyasha, you have to stop this!" She narrowly dodged yet another attack, but she could not keep this up for much longer. He was stronger, faster than her, would be able to fight much longer at this pace. If she was even a fraction of a second too slow she would be dead. "Please Inuyasha." He didn't respond, only came at her again. Kagome dodged and ran. Why hadn't the others heard her scream and come to help? What was happening to keep them away? Why was Inuyasha acting like this? She made another desperate run for the clearing where she had left her friends, and as usual Inuyasha was there instantly to block her. She ducked his swing and raced past, but he had grabbed her in less than a second, threw her back by the collar of her shirt. As she hit the ground and looked upward he was coming toward her, a menacing look in his eye as he cracked his knuckles threateningly. She wasn't able to stand up in time, wouldn't have a chance to run again. "Inuyasha… please don't do this…"

*

The sword came at him again and again. He dodged it, knocked it aside. The small slices in his hand itched a little. It was annoying. This cat was annoying. Sesshomaru was growing tired of it. The perfume of the candles filled the air, clawing with the air into his lungs, strong enough to dull his nose, cloud his mind slightly. All that he knew, all that mattered was that his brave, loyal, beautiful human was fighting her way to him, either unaware or uncaring about the danger that was closing in around her. She was in a great deal of danger and only he could protect her. She was in need of him, and he would go to her, rescue her once again before releasing her. He could not keep her, but no other would harm her.

"You're becoming sloppy Sesshomaru, are your thoughts somewhere else? With a certain human that may or may not be dead?"

His whip lashed, cutting into the cat's flesh, "You should not be so careless yourself." Sesshomaru murmured, bringing his hand around to deliver another lash.

The blinding pain nearly made him buckle. A trickle of something warm oozed down the back of his neck, another down from his forehead. The room spun. He wheeled around, his poison claws glowing as he reached for those who had attacked him.

"Quickly fools, before he recovers." His hands were grasped and forced behind his back. The rope used to tie them was thick and rough, scratching his skin. He was forced to his knees. Another blow brought darkness, illusion. Her face was close to his, shining with the purest joy he had ever seen. Then the image cracked and she was gone, leaving only blackness to claim him.

*

She struggled against the mystical bonds holding her, but was unable to move or even breath deeply. Amio's mind whirred. She had to hurry, to break these bindings. The human her brother had charged her with protecting could already be dead, but if she wasn't, if the human still lived Amio had to get to her. She could not fail Sayu.

Amio forced her body to be perfectly still, focused all of her strength into her lips and vocal chords. She had only one choice left, one option that might help her to break free. "Mar…i…tome…" she felt the mystical weapon stir in her pocket, "Fr…ee… me." She stained to speak, but barely managed to make a sound. The weapon responded. She could feel the power surge from the shrunken pole-arm. It swarmed over her as warmth, then a searing heat. She channeled as much of own power as she could into the weapon, boosting its own. Instinct kicked in, telling her to fight. Amio put every ounce of her strength into a violent jerk that broke her free from the dark magic's hold.

For a moment she struggled to breath, to pull her power back to her and regain her strength. She forced herself to her feet, turned to the other two. She could not leave them at the spell's mercy. She would have to help them, hope the human was capable of lasting a little longer. She moved to Sango, held out the still shrunken weapon, replacing the spent power with her own. "Fight now Sango." She murmured and the young woman struggled a moment longer before breaking free.

"How did you?"

"Maritome has many powers. There should be enough left in it to free the monk." Amio handed the weapon to the girl, "Just ask for its help. I have to go ahead. That human might still be alive." She turned, ran down the path toward where the sounds of screaming had come from. She wasn't sure how well she would fare against two enemies in this weakened condition, but she had to try. She caught the sword Jiyora had left behind as she ran. She could not take Maritome with her, but she needed a weapon, even if she wasn't as good with a sword.

Sango took the small weapon and pressed the blade into the glowing aura around Miroku. "Hold on for just a second, you'll be free soon." She held the small staff tightly in her hand, "Maritome… please help us." She whispered. The weapon burned against her fingertips. For a long moment there was silence, stillness. "Now Miroku."

*

She scooted back, watching him hesitate. Then his hand came down on her. Kagome screamed prepared for the pain that never came. She blinked and looked up. Sayu's sister, Amio, stood over her, holding Inuyasha by the wrist.

"You won't be hurting this human." She murmured and threw him backward.

"She's no human. It's a demon hiding in a human's body."

"Fool, someone's been playing with your head." Amio looked at him intently, "Are you alright Kagome?"

"Yes, thank you." Kagome forced herself to her feet, "Where are Sango and Miroku?"

"They'll be along soon. Run."

"No. You will not let her escape." Inuyasha threw himself at Amio, who easily braced herself for the attack.

"Kagome run!"

She hesitated for a long moment, watching Amio and Inuyasha struggle against each other, "Amio, don't hurt him."

"I told you to run." The young woman glanced over her shoulder, "Get away from here! As far as you can."

"No, I can't just leave." Kagome looked at him, "I know I hurt you Inuyasha, but I never meant to, you know that, you have to. We've been friends for so long…"

"Shut up! You aren't Kagome, you aren't my friend. You killed her. Took her from me forever." He threw himself against Amio, trying to force her aside.

"That isn't true! You know me Inuyasha, look into my eyes and tell me I'm not me."

"Kagome, " Sango jumped off of Kirara as she landed and ran to the girl's side. "You're okay."

"He thinks I'm a demon Sango… I don't understand."

"It was Kikyo. She's back."

"I know, I've seen her." Kagome murmured, trying to ignore their shock, "But why would you believe her Inuyasha?"

"She's got him under a spell, she stole his heart from him."

"I'm glad you've all caught up, but now do you think you could get her out of here?" Amio threw Inuyasha back, blocked him as he ran for Kagome again.

She isn't going anywhere." Kikyo stepped out into the light of the clearing, "none of you are. You've caused too much trouble, you won't cause any more." She held out her hands, something glowed red in her palms. "See them for what they are Inuyasha! They are conspirators of the demon. Hate them, destroy them all."

"I can't hold him much longer. You have to run." Amio called as Inuyasha came at her more ferociously than before.

"I told you already. She is not going anywhere."

"How could you do this Kikyo? You claim you love Inuyasha, but you would turn him into this? A helpless slave to commit your murders?" Kagome stared at the woman with wide eyes. "I could never imagine doing anything like that. You're a monster."

"I will do what I must."

"You're horrible." Kagome reached for the quiver and backpack in Sango's hands, removed the fan. "If you want me dead come do it yourself."

"Do not believe I am incapable of destroying you. Even with your special protection." Kikyo drew an arrow from her quiver, fitted it to her bow. "My power will overcome yours, and your demon lover's."

"Then stop talking and do it." Kagome snapped, annoyed. She had important things to do. Things Kikyo was delaying her from, a life she was trying to save, which Kikyo was endangering further. She did not have time to spare. She had planned to deal with Kikyo after she had known that Sesshomaru was safe. She tried not to flinch as the arrow was released and flew at her face, stopping barely an inch from her nose. Kagome stared at it, where the edge of the arrow was pressing against the wall of power, it's own dark force glowing around it. She swallowed, reached out to grasp the arrow's shaft and threw it to the ground. "That won't work." Kagome murmured, stepping on the arrow.

"Eventually I will kill you." Kikyo fired another arrow, then another and finally a third. The amulet's power spread, blocking the sharp edges and their dark power. Relentless, the arrows attempted to drive forward. Kagome opened the fan and sliced them in two, ending the spell that had propelled them.

"Aren't you tired of this yet Kikyo?"

"You hide behind the power of those stronger than yourself." Kikyo smiled, "You are helpless, worthless on your own."

The words cut deep, just as they were meant to. Kikyo was attempting to upset her, make her angry enough to do something foolish. She wouldn't. "Go Kikyo. I have somewhere else to be."

"I will never leave." Kikyo snapped, firing her last arrow before she moved. She faced forward, her knife at the ready, whispering words Kagome couldn't hear well enough to understand. The amulet trembled against her. Kikyo was trying to overcome it, overtax it's power until it was broken. Kagome couldn't let that happen. As Kikyo neared she struck out with the fan.

The scream tore the air, and the amulet's trembling ended. The arrows fell. Kagome watched in shock as Kikyo crumbled to the ground. For a second she blinked then looked down to find the thin steel blades covered in blood. She had hit her mark. Her eyes went back to Kikyo, watched blood leak from between her fingers that held her left wrist. Her left hand moved, tilted down and then hit the ground, free of her arm that was still held in her right hand. Kagome's stomach churned threateningly. She had meant to stop Kikyo, not injure her like this.

"I… I…" She wasn't sure what to say to the wounded woman.

"Kill her Inuyasha, kill her!" Kikyo screamed, holding her arm to her chest.

Inuyasha snarled and tried to push past Amio, who was still just barely managing to restrain him. Kagome turned to look at him, watching what Kikyo's spell had reduced him to.

"Sango, take her away from here, I will hold him off." Amio called over her shoulder.

"No, not yet." Kagome pulled free of Sango and Miroku's reaching hands. She ran to Amio, stopped just short of her, "I may be too late, but if all this does is keep it from getting worse it's worth it, since this is my fault." She pulled the amulet over her head. She didn't want to give this up. The small disc had a stone the color of his eyes and hung on a thin rope of Sesshomaru's hair, connecting them to each other. Inuyasha needed its power more than she did though. With trembling fingers she dropped it over his head, "Now, get back from him Amio." Kagome backed up several steps. After a moment of hesitation Amio flung herself back from the snarling half demon. "Inuyasha… Sit boy." She moved as he was flung to the ground. Kagome ran to Sango and Miroku, climbed onto Kirara with them. "We have to get away from here."

"Are we leaving Inuyasha behind?" For the first time Shippo spoke, drawing Kagome's attention.

"We don't have a choice Shippo. Until he's free of Kikyo's hold we can't trust Inuyasha." Kagome murmured as the cat demon took to the sky, "We'll just have to hope he's strong enough to escape her."

"And that we're fast enough to outrun him if he can't." Miroku murmured.

*

He blinked and forced himself up from the ground, not certain of how he'd gotten there. He wiped the dirt from his face and stared at his hands when he realized there was blood on them. His eyes widened.

Something small bounced against his chest. His eyes found it, a small silver disc on woven strands of silver hair. The amulet Sesshomaru had given to Kagome. He looked at his hands, heard the echoes of her pleading with him to stop. The air reeked of blood. "Kagome… what have I done?"