Fawkes: Sorry, no Jenn and Jay this time. Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi; this fanfiction belongs to me.

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- Chapter 14 - You Still Care

"We have to start moving! NOW!" Inuyasha shouted as he picked up his pace even faster, bounding towards the scent of Kagome.

"What's going on, Inuyasha?" Miroku yelled, trying to catch up.

"Get on," Sango directed the monk as she came up next to him, riding Kilala. "Sorry, Kilala. We really need to get to Kagome."

"Mind telling me what's going on?" Miroku asked just as he sensed it.

"Demons," Sango supplied before Miroku uttered a word. She had sensed it a few moments ago, understanding Inuyasha's urgency. However, now, Inuyasha was no longer in sight.

...

Sesshomaru stood and glared at the miko who had just released her arrow. Turning his head slightly to look behind him where Kagome was firmly pressed up against his back with his arm, he asked, "Are you alright, miko?"

Kagome opened her tightly shut eyes as she looked at his amber ones. She paused a moment, realizing that Sesshomaru had jumped in front of her and shielded her with his own body, then gave a firm nod. Now that her mind had caught up with what had just happened, she was worried for Sesshomaru's safety.

"I assume you want thanks?" Sesshomaru growled as he gave Kikyo a harsh look.

Kagome, not understanding, looked around as best she could since Sesshomaru still held her defensively behind him and noticed something. The demons that had been attacking were gone. Kikyo had shot her arrow not at Kagome but just passed her. Why had Kikyo saved them?

Kikyo stared stoically at Sesshomaru for a few moments before responding. "If you wish."

Sesshomaru growled low in his throat. He was ready to kill this undead miko.

"Sesshomaru, wait!" Kagome urged after she watched his hand flex and heard his knuckles pop. She placed her hand on his arm that he was using to hold her behind him, signaling she wanted him to let her go.

Sesshomaru glanced behind him to see Kagome staring intently at him.

"Please."

He sighed; he disliked this part of her, the trusting of others; she was much too trusting, especially of people she shouldn't. However, he also liked that about her because if she weren't this way, he wouldn't be with her right now. He let her go but was edgy about Kikyo being near her at all.

Kagome came out from behind Sesshomaru and stood in front of her look-alike. "Why did you save us?" Kagome asked. "Why did you save me?"

Kikyo stared at Kagome for a moment before breaking eye contact, seemingly looking for an answer.

"Kikyo?"

Snapping her head up, Kikyo drew another arrow and let it go, killing another group of demons that appeared, moving in to attack.

Sesshomaru had snatched Kagome off her feet and he moved, too fast for the untrained eye to see. He stopped near Kikyo, his arms wrapped around Kagome's waist, her back pressing against his chest. He sideways glared at the undead witch, before his attention turned to Kagome in his arms as she tried to wiggle free. He released her as she requested, but moved his hands to her shoulders to keep her close and within his reach if he needed to keep her safe.

"Kikyo," Kagome said, gaining her double's attention, "you still care, don't you?"

Kikyo's face didn't change except for her eyes sharpening. "What are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" Kagome retorted forcefully.

Sesshomaru was impressed. Kagome was backing Kikyo into a corner, asking her questions that she already knew the answer to, but wanted Kikyo to realize the truth beyond her hatred delusions. If it was possible, he felt proud of her.

"I know you do," Kagome spoke softly. She reached up to her shoulder and patted Sesshomaru's hand, gesturing for him to let her go. Sesshomaru was uneasy. This bitch tried to kill Kagome and Inuyasha on several occasions. The latter he didn't care about much; however, the former, he cared more than he thought he ever would. Then again, Kagome had this way with her enemies. He suddenly remembered that he was her enemy. Realizing this, he slowly took his hands from her shoulders, trusting her choice to be the right one.

"I did not save you because I care about you," Kikyo started, turning her glaring gaze away.

"Then why?" Kagome asked lightly, stepping closer. "Why save someone you don't care about?"

"Because—"

"Why, Kikyo," Kagome cut her off, compelling her to tell the truth.

"Because Inuyasha cares about you," Kikyo barely whispered. She hung her head before pulling it up glaring, only to shocked by Kagome enveloping her in a hug. Kikyo stood motionless, unresponsive to Kagome.

"I knew you still had your heart," Kagome sighed as she held Kikyo close.

Kikyo's eyes softened before they hardened once more and she shoved Kagome back over to Sesshomaru, who grasped her and shot backwards. Kikyo jumped back to avoid getting hit by the tentacle that came out of the trees and was now embedded in the ground were Kagome and Kikyo were once standing.

"That was touching," an icy dark voice sounded around them. "Unusual group we have here."

"Naraku," Kikyo growled. She drew an arrow in her bow only to get thrown across the clearing by a tentacle slamming into her side. Expecting a hard landing, she was surprised by someone catching her. Looking up to see silver-white hair, her surprised expression turned to one of shock.

"Don't think too much of this. Had she not asked me to, I would not have moved an inch to save you," Sesshomaru explained as he glared harshly down at the woman in his arms. He landed next to Kagome, almost dropping the woman he held. The only reason he did not was not to be reprimanded by Kagome. He smirked to himself at the thought of the human scolding him.

"My, my," Naraku's voice sounded, "how unusual. Are you going to team up?" His low cackle filled the air.

"I think it would be a good idea," Kagome stated confidently, her voice never wavered, as she glared up at Naraku as he floated above the short trees near the clearing.

Sesshomaru and Kikyo turned to her. Both were not too keen on working with the other. Sesshomaru had already saved Kikyo and didn't want anything more to do with her. Kikyo, on the other hand, wanted to take care of Naraku herself, considering she felt it was her responsibility that he even existed. However, she knew she wouldn't have done any different if she were given her life once again. It was just who she was.

"I know we can," Kagome turned to the others and gave a firm and certain nod.

"Your suggestions?" Sesshomaru asked after a few moments of silence between all three. Sesshomaru stepped back and took a moment to attack a set of lower class demons with his poison claws, cutting the demons' heads off. He shook his hand of the blood before turning back to Kagome and Kikyo.

Kagome winced. "Actually, I accidentally left my bow back with Inuyasha."

"You what?" Sesshomaru's voice was tight as Kagome winced further.

"Take mine," Kikyo ordered as she held out her bow to her reincarnation.

Kagome looked at Kikyo in shock before wrapping her fingers around Kikyo's bow. "What about you?"

"I have other ways," Kikyo said, her chin held high as she swung around and flung her left hand to the side. A bright pale violet light shown and she purified two demons that were coming at her and then used her right hand and purified three more.

"She's amazing," Kagome gasped quietly to herself. She took an arrow from her quiver strapped to her back. Feeling power in her heart at Kikyo's kindness to lend her her bow, she pulled back and released. The light that came from the arrow was greater than Kagome had ever seen before. It seemed Kikyo had given her new conviction and confidence in herself. Her arrow shot to her target and dissipated everything in its wake. Her main objective got hit in the center of his chest and slowly started to dissolve from the inside out.

"I should have expected that," Kagome scolded herself as she watched Naraku disappear with a smirk plastered on his face. It was only a puppet. Something Naraku was definitely known for.

Kagome was swept off her feet and her breath taken from her as a bright line of light moved away from her. Sesshomaru had picked her up once again and threw a light whip back at the rather large demons that had moved to attack a thoughtful Kagome. "Pay more attention, miko. The demons are not gone. He is probably still monitoring us close by."

"Behind his barrier as usual," Kikyo spoke softly, however she looked to be rather tired. Kagome was sure that purifying those demons with her hands alone had to be tiring, making her appreciate Kikyo lending her the bow all the more.

Suddenly, a vast wave of demons numbering to more than fifty bounded their way towards the usual team. Roaring and growling, making their presence known.

Kikyo rushed forward, anticipating using her power to purify them all by herself.

"Sesshomaru!" Kagome urged, not wanting Kikyo to die.

Sesshomaru inhaled slightly. "I needn't have to."

Kagome stared shocked and confused at the youkai, when her ears picked up something that surprised her greatly.

"WINDSCAR!"

A red clad hanyou dropped in front of Kikyo with his sword still raises glaring at the deceased demons, searching to see if there was one still left alive. Inuyasha fumed as he released his fighting stance and started yelling, "What the hell is the matter with you?" He turned to a taken aback Kikyo as he continued his ranting, "WHY WOULD YOU DO SOMETHING SO STU—" He stopped short realizing it wasn't Kagome he was yelling at but Kikyo.

"I-Inuyasha," Kikyo whispered in relief.

All of a sudden, Inuyasha was pushed forward and he wrapped his arms around Kikyo and both of them fell backwards.

A gushing horrid sound was heard. Long black hair cascaded down to her feminine shoulders as a hand appeared out her back.

"KAGURA!" Kagome screamed in anguish.

- Chapter 14 -

My apologies. I have been going some family problems that will remain undisclosed. It had caused me many problems in writing and even functioning properly. It is thanks to a fan, who showed great interest and like for this story that I had the heart to continue. Great amount of thanks to you, inuyasha838.

Forgive crappy fight scenes (I'm not used to writing fight scenes), ignorance (it has been a LONG while since I watched or read Inuyasha), and overall old school writing. I don't know if my writing has changed since working on this fanfiction back in... was it 2006? Or maybe 2007. It's been at least four years and I finally know how to end it. I thought of making a sequel for this story, but it lacked plot so I threw it out.

Until next time.

PS: I like cliffhangers.