Chapter 10

The sun was soon to set, and the night air was beginning to cool. Kagome stood at the edge of a cliff watching the world in front of her, as it passes through its normal cycle. Knowing what was soon to happen, she frowned and looked toward the forests edge longing for him to stop her.

Kagome knew that wasn't about to happen. She was destine to battle for her soul. What worried her was the fact that Naraku's energy was coming from Kikyo.

As if planned, Kikyo lurked out of the forests tree line and into the fading light of the sun. Kagome walked away form the edge of the cliff and toward the middle of the field.

Kikyo stopped and looked around the soon to be battlefield. "So, where is he? Where is my prize?"

Kagome straightened her stance and confronted the dark Miko. "He is not your prize! Nor will he be coming. This is just between us Kikyo!"

"Awe, too bad. If he was here you might have had a glimmer of hope that you might beat me. On the other hand, I think not."

"What happened to you Kikyo? Before Naraku was destroyed you had given up on your anger toward Inuyasha and me. You realized that your revenge was against Naraku. What has changed?"

Kikyo began to laugh quietly, which soon turned to an uncontrollable cackle. She began to speak again, this time it wasn't only Kikyo's voice, but the voice of an enemy thought defeated.

"KuKuKu, What did you think little girl. That I would be that easily defeated? How little you know."

Kagome took a step back in astonishment. "Naraku... How?"

"It is simple." Kikyo's voice sounded. "My body needs souls to move. When Naraku's body was destroyed. You failed in eliminating his soul in the process. I was injured that day; I needed more souls to make my body regenerate. His soul came to me and made me a deal. At first I didn't wish to take it. But soon after seeing you and Inuyasha together I agreed to his terms. He would increase my powers and give me the ability to control them, and I in return, would give him a body to inhabit."

Kagome stood her ground and readied herself. "What have you done, Kikyo? You are not the Kikyo that Inuyasha loved. That Kikyo would have never became a pawn to the same person that killed you in the first place. Now I fight to free you from his grasp!"

"What you use to fight is no bother to me as long as you fight and I get the rest of my soul back."

"That will not happen Kikyo. Prepare yourself."

Kagome and Kikyo took to their fighting stances, Kikyo with a bow in hand, and Kagome reading for her own attack.

Meanwhile, Inuyasha and the others ran far and fast to find Kagome. They had left Shippo behind with Kaede, much to his displeasure. Sango and Miroku rod upon Kirara as Inuyasha jumped from limb to limb.

Sango looked down at Inuyasha and spoke. "Are you sure you know where your going?"

"No, but it is the only place I can think of." He answered.

"Where?" Asked Miroku.

"The clearing where I found her only a few nights ago."

Miroku nodded and they continued on their way.

Back in the clearing, Kagome is on one knee, panting heavily. Kikyo is standing only a few feet away for her. Naraku speaks through Kikyo. "Is that all you have annoying pest. What a piety, I was looking forward to a good fight. Trying to purify me was a stupid mistake."

Kagome looked up at the dark Miko. "Kikyo, please help me defeat him. He is using you. Do you really think he will leave your body if you defeat me? When has he ever kept his word?" She breathed heavily.

Kikyo came at Kagome with her bow in hand, charged with dark power. "Quiet fool!"

Kagome dodged out of the way and stood straight. "This isn't you. Look at yourself, let me help you."

"Never, your worthless. How could you ever bring me anything but grief?"

"Then you give me no choice."

As if on queue, Inuyasha and company entered the clearing and stopped only a few meters form the two powered up Miko's. Kikyo smiled evilly at Kagome. Without a word, Kagome took out her bow and arrow. She powered it up with as much purifying energy as she could muster. She had her eyes closed until the moment she released the arrow.

The arrow shot quickly through the field and past Kikyo's barrier without any resistance. It only stopped when it embedded itself into Kikyo's chest.

She screamed in pain as the purifying arrow began to do its work. Only moments later did Kikyo look up at Kagome and whisper, "Thank you."

The body of soil and bones dropped to the ground as the souls were being released. All Inuyasha and the others could do was watch.