Hi everybody, back again! Woohoo, I'm up to THREE reviews. I'm burning baby, I'm on FIRE! I'd like to thank the latest reviewer but she seemed to have a bit of a split personality. So I'll thank her BOTH! Peeka-chan and Nate-chan! What….I have voices in my head too, the more the merrier I always say! Anyway, standard disclaimer. I'm poor and broke and own nothing on any of the characters save my own soooooooooooo………..,.. YOU'LL GET NOTHING AND LIKE IT!

I woke up feeling cold. I never slept as good as I did that night. It must have been the company. I open my eyes and feel around the bed to find I'm alone. My ears dropped a bit. She could have said she was leaving. Crap I am whipped. I get out of bed feeling a bit stiff but not TOO bad for a guy who was Sess's chew toy for a while. I wonder out of the room into the main forge. This place ain't as big as I thought.

I find everyone in a half circle facing away from me. Totosei is on the other end. He sees me. "Ahhh, if it isn't the big baby. Come on kid, we don't have all day." Lousy old man. Lets see HIM get chewed on by a huge ass Kojo on steroids with REALLY bad breath. Everyone seems to be looking at something on the table. I move toward them and they part. I see a sword with a black hilt and black guard sheathed on the table.

"My new sword?" They all nod. "OK, what's with the silent treatment?"

Miroku smiles. "We are just relieved you are well my friend. We also wish to see if the sword is as good as Master Totosei claims." The old man in question jumps up "You ungrateful young'uns! All my swords are masterpieces! Swords with no equal!" I glare at him. "Including my OLD one?" Totosei just rubbed his chin. "I made you a sword?" I crash to the ground as well as most of my friends. Stupid old man must pick his senile moments.

I reach over and grasp the sword on the table. I can feel it thump with power. Like a heartbeat. It's….my heartbeat…? I head outside with sword in hand. I NEED to test this. This….this felt NOTHING like my old sword. My old sword felt like almost a normal sword, only a few extras that I had to concentrate on bringing to the surface. This sword felt like EVERYTHING was waiting at the surface. Waiting for me to release it. I reach the outside and walk a bit further. We seem to be in a mountainous region. Good, I don't like destroying forests. I tuck the sword to my left side in my belt.

I draw it out slowly. It makes little sound as it comes out. I look at the blade. It's beautiful. It looks to be almost like a silver mirror. I can easily see my reflection in it. I get ready. It may LOOK good, but I prefer it to be functional. I concentrate on a stone boulder I see a bit further away. May as well start out small. I concentrate my energy around my sword wrapping the wind in its embrace. I swing and call out my weakest attack. "Kuu Ha Zan!" Now with my old sword I might have cracked the boulder into a few pieces. Smash it up a bit. My attack went right through the boulder turning it into dust and continuing on to a slight hill and leveled it. My jaw was on the floor and when I looked at my friends they were also in shock. They've seen me fight, but my attacks NEVER did THAT! I look at the sword like Excalibur or some other fabled sword. I barely had to put any effort into creating that attack…

Totosei just looked confused. "What's wrong? I make it too weak again?" I just gulp. He thinks THAT is weak? Wait a minute…..just HOW weak was my other sword?

"Totosei, how weak was my other sword? I can feel the power of this one and mt attacks come a lot easier." He just shrugged. "Oh, I say it only increased your power about….hmmmm….around 5 percent. 10 tops." "And this sword?" He looks at it. "Well, you have to do some more attacks but I'd say it probably more than doubles your power."

I think back to everything I did with my old sword. "Is that the reason you thought I didn't do the Wind Scar or the Backlash wave? The sword was too weak to handle it?" He just nodded happily. "Yup, a sword is a tool, nothing more nothing less. The better the tool the better the job. For you to have mastered the Wind Scar with THAT sword meant that you had to use almost entirely outside energy. If you would have focused in your sword it would have shattered a whole lot faster!" I nod. It's about what I had figured. But that means….

I turn toward a more open direction and feel the currents of energy in the air. To do the Wind scar WITHOUT a clear opponent means I'd have to get the energy from somewhere else. There's power everywhere. In the trees, rocks and in the air. A normal Wind Scar you need to cut into the spot where two opposing forces collide. The energy then gets sucked in like an open wound then flows in whatever direction you cut to. So I have to use my energy and create a slight imbalance with the natural wind around me. I envy Yasha sometimes. To be able to do this stuff on instinct while I have to bust my brain and train to get this down. I put a lot of energy into my sword. I want to see how big I can make this. I swing my sword shredding the natural energy around me. "Wind Scar!"

A huge tidal wave of destructive yellow energy leaps from my sword into the direction I swung in……oh Kami….It swept across the ground, shedding and vaporizing anything in its way. It kept on going on and on…..its just leaving a path of destruction going on….did it pass a mile? My legs feel distinctively rubbery and I fall flat on my ass with shock plain on my face. It must have went five miles before it seemed like it died down. I hear Kikyo's voice, and she sounded scared…….of me? "Wha….What did you just DO?"

I shook my head. I didn't think it would be THAT powerful by just adding some more of my energy to the mix. Totosei just rubbed his chin. "Yup, you're his son all right! A regular chip off the old block hahahaha!" I break from my stupor as well as everyone around me to look at the crazy, senile sword smith. "What do you mean? Look what I just DID! Kami, if anyone was in the line of that attack they would have been vaporized! I could have just killed some innocent villagers picking flowers or taking a walk!"

Totosei just looked at me. Well at least he stopped laughing. He's got a serious look there. Well, fine, looks serious all you want! I'm a bit freaked out. This thing was forged from MY fangs, and I DO NOT have that kind of power! He just sighed and said in a lower voice. "Yeah, you're his son after all." I got to my feet and got in his face.

"What did you DO? No way these could be MY fangs! I'm not powerful enough to do…" I point to the path of destruction "..THAT!" He just looked indignant. "Strong sword, weak sword, make up your mind! And I forged it from TWO of your fangs. Also you are not as weak as you think of THAT…" he points to where I did a moment ago "..wouldn't have happened. I would normally be worried about something that powerful being in some punk kids hands…"

I shake my head. I HATE talking to this guy. I need aspirin.. "Yeah, but you are not worried with them being in mine? You gave me a bum sword before and Now this really powerful one and you are not the least bit worried? Why the hell not?" The old guy was really pissing me off…

He smiled like a grandfather would. What's up with him? "Because you ARE like your father." With that he turned and walked away. Crap, what was Father like? There's no way he could have been ANYTHING like me. He was all demon, in fact the STRONGEST of all demons. You don't get like that from helping villagers and getting tossed out like garbage. Myoga was jumping up and down.

"Oh Lord Tomasaru, I KNEW Totosei wouldn't let you down!" I mutter "Again you mean?" but I was ignored. As usual. "Seeing your attacks like that also made me think of your long dead father. OH HE'D BE SO PROUD!" The little flea jumped on me as if to hug. I feel a familiar prick and I slap the area leaving a flat Myoga to float to the ground. I think practice can wait. I turn to my companions. "So, want to see if that compass works?"

Two days later.

The compass seems to be working like a charm. We've been following it for two days and I can just about feel the slime of Naraku's aura. I smell humans a bit further ahead. We can probably get some supplies before heading out to hopefully a deciding battle with him. I really don't want to be chasing him for years on end. We get closer to the village and my nose twitches. There are humans there all right, but they sure don't smell alive. "Hey guys." I wait until they stop so I have their attention. "I'm smelling something bad up ahead. I think the villagers might be dead or close to it." They all nod and quicken our pace. Hopefully we'll find some survivors.

Twenty minutes later we arrive and the village is a mess. God, it brings flashbacks of the beginning of my journey with Kikyo. People killed, sliced and dismembered in what looks like painful ways. We decide to split up and look for survivors….if there are any. I doubt it. If there are it's because Naraku probably wanted to enjoy having someone haunted by the carnage he caused here. I move on but something catches my ear. I stand still. There, heard it again! I walk silently toward the erratic sounds. My search leads me to a hut that looks like its seen better years. I walk inside and the sound stopped. Hmm, not quite. I hear some breathing. I see an eye looking out of a small barrel. I can see fear in those eyes so I stay still try not to look menacing. Although the claws and fangs I can't help.

"Hey little one, come on out. I'm here to help. I know your in there. I see you and you see me. If I wanted to hurt you I would have just came at you. So come on out, ok?"

I see a little head poke its way out of the top of the barrel. It looks like a little girl. Dark brown hair and eyes. Dirty face with tear streaks from her eyes to her chin. God, what has this little girl forced to watch? She struggle out of her hiding spot and I stay crouched on the ground. I didn't want to make any sudden moves and spook her. She seemed like she's had enough spooking to last her a lifetime. She slowly made her way to me. I try to look as kind as I could. I also make sure I twitch my ears a bit. For some reason people like that. She looked up at me not with fear so much as confusion. She probably didn't know what to think.

She looked at me. "Wha, What are you mistah?" I smile. Well, this kid doesn't seem like most I've dealt with so I guess I'll be a little playful with her. "I'm a Mog, half man, half dog…." I sigh theatrically "….I'm my own best friend." I finished that with a pout that got a giggle in return. "Yeah yeah, laugh at the poor doggy man. You want to get out of here? My friends are looking around the village for survivors. Are there any others like yourself?" I see tears threatening to fall. "N..No…I don't know. This man just came and started cutting people up. My Mommy and Daddy…they…they tried to…" I shush her and scoop her up in my arms. I can feel her silent sobs as I feel her tears soak my shoulder. Naraku…..

I move myself and the little girl to the center of the village where we all agreed to meet. I saw Miroku was already there. "Tomasaru you've found someone!" He ran quickly to me and reached out to grab the little girl when she shrieked and clung to me tighter. Well, this was new. Usually kids ran away screaming from my presence since I was a big, bad demon ready to eat their souls and drag them to hell.

He looked a bit confused but smiled in his usual carefree way. "Made a new friend have you? My, I hope Kikyo doesn't mind you picking up other women." I growl a bit. Stupid perverted monk. Saying that. She's just a kid!

The little girl just giggled at my growl. "You made a funny face Mog-san!" I pale a bit. Oh they are NOT going to let me live this down. Miroku looked intrigued. "Mog-san?" I try to tell the girl with my eyes to not say anything but she just laughed at my panicked expression in a more care free way than I would think she'd have been able to given her circumstances. "Yeah, poor Mog-san. He's half man, half doggy so he's his only bestest friend!" Miroku I can tell is trying hard not to laugh.

"Bwahahahahaaa!" He's rolling on the ground tears streaming from his eyes. "Oh, OH BUDHA! Oh my, I didn't think you had it in you, Mog-san!" With that he started laughing some more at me. Grrrrr, I should have remembered what happens when I try to be nice. Oh course Kikyo and Kohaku return and see Miroku gasping for breath on the ground and me holding a little girl. Kikyo turns to me. "What's going on?"

I shrugged and nodded to the girl in my arms. "I found a survivor." Miroku sat up. "Yeah, she and Mog-san are getting along quite well!" Ohhhh, I know I'm going to get in trouble but your line ends HERE monk!

Kikyo and Kohaku looked confused. Together they say "Mog-san?" The little girl in my arms chirped happily. "He's half man, half doggy!" My face turns red. It was just a stupid Space Balls quote dammit! Now they'll never let me live this down. Kikyo smiles while Kohaku chuckles softly. Well, at least they took it better than the monk. I just KNOW they are going to stick it to me somehow….

I place her on the ground gently. "These are my friends, you can trust them." He hand was clenched in the sleeve of my kimono as she looked up shyly at everyone. "Why don't you tell us your name? Mine is Tomasaru." She smiled up at me. "OK Mog-san!" When she turned away I facefault. I can see amusement in everyone's eyes. Ohh, feeling lucky punks, just TRY to call me Mog-san!

"My name is Rena." She spoke softly. Well, at least that was a name I haven't heard in the series. I really hope the death in this village doesn't screw up the future fifty years from now. Who am I kidding, things are already FUBARed.

Kikyo stepped closer to the little girl, Rena, and got down on her knees to be at eye level with her. "Rena, can you tell us what happened here?" Her eyes started to tear up and I spoke for her. "She told me that a demon attacked the village and started slaughtering the villagers. Her parents….tried to fight…" They all looked down at that. No need to be so blunt in front of the child. I look at Kikyo. "Can you stay with Rena for a bit. We need to take care of the dead here." Kikyo looked like she wanted to protest but nodded. We couldn't leave her alone and let her watch that. The poor kid has seen enough death today.

It took us most of day close to the night. We were staying at one of the houses that wasn't very damaged. Little Rena was asleep in the corner allowing us to talk more freely. I start off. "Now what? Naraku is close by but we can't fight him dragging along this little girl with us." Miroku and Kohaku just nodded looking in the fireplace. I notice Kikyo was lost in thought. "Hey Kikyo, what do you think?"

She turned to look at me. Her eyes were haunted by what she was thinking. "We go on." I bite back my anger. It doesn't look like she's saying this in blind fury but in hopelessness. "We must put an end to Naraku and reclaim the jewel or many more villages will suffer the same fate. I wish we could spare the time to take her to a nearby village but time is something we do not have."

I argued "I smelled a village probably not even a day away, we can take her there and then get back to tracking Naraku!" Miroku then intervened. "Let us split then. You take the girl to the village while the rest of us track Naraku." I glared at him. "Why do I have to be the one to do it?" Kohaku answers for him. "Well, you can probably carry her and get back to us faster than anyone here. Plus your nose will be able to find us a lot better."

I grumble. I KNOW I'm in trouble when they all start using logic on me. Kikyo looked at me with complete trust. "I know you'll take good care of Rena and get her to safety. Please, you are the only one here able to do it." I sigh and nod. I can't say no to her and everyone else knew it. Miroku leaned back with his hands clasped behind his head. "Ah, we all knew we could count on you Mog-san" with utter seriousness in his voice. I heard Kohaku let out a blast of air as he stifled a laugh and Kikyo herself started to giggle. This is WAR monk! I glare and get up while he waves his hands in his innocence. I grab him in a headlock and start giving him hanyou style noogies. "Mog-san THIS you no good lecher!" I said as I rubbed my knuckles hard into his head.

When the morning came we said our goodbyes. I did not want to delay anything so I scooped Rena up and bounded toward the nearest village. Hanyous are naturally fast and strong but with Hiko Sensei's training I've learned to become faster and stronger tapping into my life force. Ki, demon energy, I'm not sure what to call it. I can manage to tap into it when in my human form, though no where as good as my natural hanyou form. I tap into that energy to go faster. I don't want to be separated from K…the others for too long. If they run into Naraku or one of his traps they might not be able to handle it without me. It took about five hours but I made it into the village. I stop just by the edge of the village and let Rena out of my arms. "You are going to have to go the rest of the way yourself little one." She looked at me innocently and asked why. It hurt to think that if I showed up with this child those villagers might not take her in the best case or try to kill her in the worst. I give her a modified version of the truth.

"Most people don't like……people like me. They think we are bad or that we'll try to hurt them." She shook her tiny head. "You wouldn't Mog-san!" I smile. "I know that, you know that, but some people…they believe what they want to believe. Believe what OTHERS taught them to believe. Very few are willing to learn things for themselves and decide for themselves. Just go to the village and say that your village was destroyed and a man helped bring you here. They'll help you as long as you don't mention that I'm not human. Understand?" She hesitantly nods and hugs me. "I'll miss you Mog-san!" Sweet kid.

I bend down and hug her back. "I'll miss you too kiddo. I'll try to visit, ok?" She's a bit happier and nods enthusiastically. "Ok, so get going." She moves slowly for the village entrance, looks back and moves a bit faster. Using my hearing I can make out the conversations. As soon as I'm sure they've decided to take her I dash off to the others letting my nose guide me. I hope they haven't run into Naraku yet!

I pour on the energy. I may tire myself out at this rate but I'd rather get there winded and help rather than get there and see my friends dead. The smells are getting stronger but also a feeling of….wrongness. Evil, a sick slimy feeling on my very soul. I push myself further. I hear the sounds of fighting and come to a clearing in the forest. I see a VERY familiar castle as well as the sight of my friends battling….Narakus. A WHOLE lot of Narakus. I guess he figured clones were better than reincarnations. Since he's powerful by himself I guess that might have been smart. Damn, there are a few hundred of them. I draw my sword and aim at a mass of them. Incidentally the main part of the castle was right in my line of fire. I'm going to enjoy this….

"Wing Scar!" I put a bit more energy into it than when I did at Totosei's place. Nothing is too overkill when dealing with Naraku….or a whole bunch of him. The power tears through the look-alikes, reducing them into ashes, and continuing on the destroy the castle. I don't stay to watch the show. I see a few Narakus trying to sneak up on a winded Kikyo. "Kuu, Ha Zan!" I release the destructive ball of wind into the group. Destroying most and crippling the rest. I jump to Kikyo's side. She's a bit sweaty but not as tired as I feared. Apparently the rest did her a world of good.

"Getting in trouble? And without me here? I'm rubbing off on you Kikyo!" She just smiled good naturedly at me. "Yes, it seems your unique luck has infected us all Mog-san" She smiled at me sweetly. Oh yeah, I corrupted her alright! I still scowl though. "That's a fine think you. I save your life and you call me names!" I pout as I release another Kuu Ha Zan into a group of Narakus trying to get at Kohaku while he waits for his Hiraikotsu to return. She just giggles a bit as she releases one of her arrows into a few Narakus. "Do not worry. I'm sure I can properly atone for my actions after the battle….in private." She smirks at me and my face goes deep red as I remember the night she stayed in my arms. I just mutter "That's playing dirty!" She smiled brightly and replies she knows before launching another pink missile. We work our way together and stare at the amassed army of Narakus.

"Dammit, there are still too many of them! By the time we're done we'll be too weak to do anything against the real one!" Miroku's face sets in stone. He thrusts his staff into the ground and barks. "Stay behind me!" His left hand reaches for the rosary in his right and I blanch, grab Kikyo and Kohaku by the waists and drag them further behind the monk. This Miroku never really used his Wind Tunnel as much as his descendants had. I guess it's because he's lived so long without it he really didn't need to. Or maybe he just wanted to ignore it. Ignore the curse Naraku placed on his hand that marked his time in the world.

He thrusts his right hand forward as he rips the rosary off. "Wind Tunnel!" He screamed as I saw something out of a nightmare. The counterfeit Narakus all disappeared into the Void in his hand. Some tried to go around him and he just spun and sucked them in as well. I kept my hands on my two companions and jumped accordingly behind the monk whenever he made a sudden movement. I had no desire to know what lay in the Void and I doubt my friends did either. When he was finished there were no more Naraku's left. Miroku groaned as he wrapped up his Wind Tunnel before collapsing. We quickly rush to him. He is face down. When we turn him over we all gasp. Practically his whole right side, some of it even seeping well into his left, was all black and dark purple. I remember in the series if Miroku tried to suck up Naraku's bees he would be poisoned. If these were clones of Naraku's it would make sense since Naraku is composed of Miasma, a deadly poison.

I draw my sword and I can feel its healing properties come right to the fore. This blade is MUCH easier to use than my old one! I concentrate and actually see all the poisons lining in his system. I slash downwards at him and sigh in relief as I see the black and purple give way to his naturally tanned complexion. I hard a sharp clapping. We turn and see….Naraku! Only this one we can feel the power coming off him in waves. The Shikon no Tama shines in his chest darkly like some infected black heart.

"Well done, most impressive. It seems you've come seeking me this time Kikyo. And you've brought another hanyou with you…..really, don't you learn from your mistakes?" I growl and clutch my sword. "I must say I'm really quite surprised you found me. I would have been able to properly greet you a few months from now when I ruled all of Japan. I guess I'll have to deal with you pests now." HE smiles evilly and the jewel flares inside his chest. His arms become sharp tentacles. I grap Kikyo and the still groggy Miroku and jump away while Kohahu throws his Hiraikotsu into the tentacles and jumps for it as well. The giant weapon was cut to shreds as the boosted Naraku laughed as his attempt. "Do you truly think I am like one of those….beasts….that wished to acquire the jewel? I am in full control of the jewel. I am the demon of DEMONS. I am Naraku, the DEMON GOD!"

I Let Miroku and Kikyo down as I think furiously. This is NOT good. Kikyo notches an arrow and fires it straight at Naraku. Like back at the village it hit Naraku's barrier and disappeared. Naraku just laughs. He has us and he KNOWS it. I look at Kikyo, then at Miroku. Without his Hiraikotsu, Kohaku is at a big disadvantage so I doubt he could help. We need a plan. We need something to crack his barrier to get at the jewel. My Windscar won't work. Hell, a Backlash wave probably wouldn't crack that….wait. I look at Kikyo. Something clicks in my mind. A similar battle with similar odds. I smile.

"Miroku, can you combine the power of your wards into Kikyo's arrow?" He looked confused. "I do not think.." "YES OR NO?". He steps back. "Yes, but.." I turn toward Naraku, "Good, how long to make it as strong as you can?" He looked flustered. "A minute probably but I do not think it will work!". I smile grimly though he doesn't see it. "Oh it will, just do it. When you are done, Kikyo, I need you to charge the strongest arrow you can manage. You got that?" Kikyo spoke "Yes, but I do not think that will be of sufficient power to break that barrier." "Just get it ready. And tell me when you are ready to fire. I'll tell you when. Trust me!" With that I rush Naraku, hoping to buy them the time they need…

Naraku smiled as I approached. Smug bastard. I wasn't going to expend much of my own energy during this little skirmish so I tapped into the power around us. Hmm, I can tap into some of Naraku's power as well. I summon it all into a Wind Scar. I let the power build as I rush Naraku head on. He lifts his hands, turning them into deadly tentacles again. Before they reach me I release my attack and jump straight up. The Wind Scar burned away his tentacles, which surprised me, but left Naraku unhurt, which sadly didn't surprise me. After the glare of my attack wore off he looked around curiously for me as I descended on him blade lowered, Hiten Mitsurugi style!

My sword bounced an inch from his neck and I used the momentum to roll away as several tentacles shot out for my previous location. Speed was key to my style. I could not soak up damage like Inuyasha. My battle with Sess proved it. Even enhanced with demon blood I passed out from the wounds inflicted on me. I have no such luxury here. I launch a Kuu Ha Zan into his tentacles ripping some of them apart but not doing any real damage. Damn. This is a long minute.

Naraku smiled "You are unlike your brother." I get into a more defensive position. Let the smug bastard talk. It'll buy more time for the others. "Yeah well, we've lived different lives." He smiled darkly at me. "Oh I KNOW, and such an…..INTERESTING life you've had. Or should I say, LIVES?" I keep my face expressionless but inside I am freaked out. Does he know? "Using the jewel's full power I've seen some VERY interesting things. Of paths taken and paths…..diverged by certain elements. Say someone being born that SHOULDN'T have been born." I snarl at him. "If you don't like your fate or certain people being born take it up with Kami!"

Naraku just looked smug. "I don't think my wish would be granted, do you?" Shit, come on Miroku, Kikyo, HURRY UP! As if hearing my thoughts I hear Kikyo yell "Tomasaru!" I smile and Jump to her side. Naraku is just looking bored. "Please tell me you're joking. Your power is NOTHING compared to me." I look at Kikyo. "Trust me?" She smiled. God I love that smile. "Yes." "Wait for my attack and fire yours right through it. We are going to get through this TOGETHER! Got it?" I smile at her and give Miroku and Kohaku a nod. We are going to finish this.

I jump a few feet in front of Kikyo and hold my sword in a two handed stance. The backlash wave takes more than mere power to create it. You have to take an incredible amount of energy and instead of hurling it at your opponent as in the Wind Scar, you need to…..I guess the best word to use is spin it even though I'm not sure if that's even accurate. The Wind Scar is based on energy. The Backlash Wave is based on energy AND motion. Motion is an energy among itself so that's why the power of the Wind Scar pales. Its like comparing X to X Squared to put it mathematically. I concentrate on the energy around me. I pull it all in and start to twirl it. I move it slowly, then faster, then I move the energy as fast as I can. I'm starting to feel dizzy with the strain of concentration. Finally I yell "Now, BACKLASH WAVE!" I swing and I'm proud to see a tornado of angry yellow energy streaking toward Naraku. I see Kikyo's arrow, swirling colors of pink and purple wrapping the energy of the Backlash Wave around itself. I got this idea from one of the Inuyasha movies. I watch as it streaks toward Naraku and pray it works as well.

Naraku looks at the energy with a bit of surprise before lashing at it with dark power. The multicolored tornado rocked into Naraku's barrier and struggled. Come on, PLEASE come on….

Naraku's barrier snapped and he was subjected to all our powers. He was ripped apart but the jewel continuously put him back together. As the power died down I saw he was on his knees. I rush at him as fast as I'm able. This has to end, NOW! If he recovers we will never be able to do an attack like that again on him. He fires a dark beam of energy at me which I dodge, blurring as though it passed through me, and dug my claws right into his chest and pulled out the sacred jewel. I jump back and charge my sword. I swing it at him and release another Backlash Wave in which reduced him to ashes. I look at my bloody claw and I can feel the jewel trying to seduce me. Begging me to use its power. I shake my head and turn towards the others. I felt ice shoot into my heart.

Kikyo lay on the ground with blood pooling around her. I reach her side quickly and see that she was shot in the stomach with the blast I dodged….The wound was black and was trying to spread to the rest of her but she kept it at bay with the force of her holy powers. Taking my sword and filling it with healing energy I slashed at Kikyo…..

Nothing happened! I tried again. And again. Putting all I had into my sword. My eyes burned my I kept trying. Heal, DAMN you HEAL. "Heal, WHY WON'T YOU HEAL?" Miroku put his arm on my shoulder I angrily shoved him off. "I can save her, damn it, I CAN!" I look in my clutched hand at the black jewel. It seemed to delight in my heartache. I don't care, I can use the jewel I can….

"…don't" I heard a weak voice say. I look down at Kikyo smiling at me. Why are you smiling? You're DYING because of me! She shook her head. "Do…Do not use the….jewel…to heal me." "Why….?" I asked with raw emotion.

"Naraku…in his final….heinous act….wanted you to...corrupt the jewel…further. Please…if you care for me at all….if you truly love me…you will not use the jewel." My eyes are burning and I can barely breathe. My throat, I can't even swallow. "How can you ask me to do nothing….and watch you die?" She smiled at me the way she did that night. "Because….I trust you…to listen to me….and do the right thing…". "Kikyo…" I see Kohaku looking on sadly and Miroku with his hand up doing a prayer.

"Do….me one favor…..Tomas….aru.." I'm crying now but I don't care. "Anything" I kneel down and take her with my own that hold the Shikon no Tama. It starts to turn pink but I couldn't really care at the moment. "Take me back to….my village…Burn my…body with….the jewel…I will take it…with me…into the…next….world…" I can see her eyes start to dim. I can't talk so all I can do is nod. She smiles up at me. "I'm glad…that I…could know you. All…of you. I'm sorry…I…won't be…able to free….Inu…" I touch her lips with my finger. I croak out. "I know." She smiles and looks at Miroku and Kohaku before I feel her hand go limp and I se her eyes go blank. I break down and hold her to my chest. All I can do is scream to the uncaring heavens "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Man, that brought me to tears WRITING that. Bet you didn't see THAT coming? I figure one or two more chapters and I can do a second story arc with Inuyasha and the rest of the gang! I got Three reviews so far. Lets go with an even number people! Does anyone even CARE about this fic? Waaaaaah, all these hours writing for NOTHING!