Ahh…The next chapter…How exhilarating!

Inuyasha: You seem happy enough…What happened to the math homework?

A1969 (Grins): When you wanna get rid of math teachers, nothing can get the job done better than Naraku's miasma.

Kagome: So…Who's your next victim?

A1969: The English teacher…

Teacher: EEkkkk!!

A1969: Mwahahahahahah!!!

Oh! And I'm updating my other story next week…Sorry! This is probably the longest chapter I've made so far!

SoSoSoSoSoSo

Kagome counted the shards in the bottle…two. Same old two…Sometimes she wished that the bottle would create its own shards so she wouldn't have to keep track of them. But right now, the last shard was with Kohaku…so it was safe…for the time being…

She glanced at Kohaku, who was playing happily with Kirara. She wondered how she could remove the shard without killing him.

There must be some other way, Kagome thought as she looked at Kohaku who had sat down next to Sango.

"What is it, Kagome-chan?" Sango asked when she saw Kagome looking at her.

"Nothing…" Kagome said. She hastily turned away. Inuyasha, who was sitting beside her, noticed her conflict of emotions.

"I know why you're so worried," he whispered so the others wouldn't hear. "We'll find a way to save Kohaku. And get the shard."

Kagome gave him a small smile and she leaned her head on his shoulder as they both watched the sun set.

That evening, when Kohaku and Shippou were asleep, Kagome and the others gathered around the near dead fire to discuss the dilemma that they were now in. "There must be someway to get the shard out of Kohaku without endangering his life," Miroku said in a hushed voice.

Kagome nodded and placed an arm around Sango's shoulder for comfort. "We won't just take the shard out," the miko assured her. Sango gave them all a weak smile. "Thanks…He's the only family I have now."

Kirara mewed softly in protest. "Kirara too," Sango said, scratching her pet's ears.

"What is that?" Miroku asked. The others looked in the direction he was pointing at. A bright light in the sky was headed toward them and Kagome recognized it at once; it was one of Kikyou's shikigami.

It was Kochou; she landed in front of the small group and Inuyasha-thinking that Kikyou had sent for him-stood up at once. Kochou saw this and shook her head. "Kikyou-sama has sent for Kagome, not you."

The others gave her a puzzled look, but Inuyasha looked at her, quite embarrassed and puzzled as to why Kikyou had sent for Kagome and not for him.

Kagome herself was equally stunned. Her? Kikyou had sent for her? It was strange, in Kagome's opinion.

"What for?" Kagome asked the question that was on everyone's mind.

"She did not say," Kochou said softly; Kagome had a feeling that she was lying. She stood up, nonetheless, to follow Kochou.

"Kagome," Inuyasha said.

"I'll be fine," the miko assured. Kochou looked pointedly at Inuyasha before she flew up and flew at a much slower pace so as to allow Kagome to catch up.

Inuyasha watched Kagome run off, her figure illuminated by the rising crescent moon.

SoSoSoSoSoSo

Jaken looked at his lord, who was watching the crescent moon as it rose above the mountains. Jaken knew that his lord was very deep in thought; he knew that he shouldn't bother him.

Sesshoumaru sighed, inaudibly of course. Mizuki was dead and he couldn't save her. The fact that it was he whom she had called before he died both bothered and pleased him.

"Lord Sesshoumaru?" an innocent voice asked.

He gazed at Rin from over his shoulder and didn't answer her.

"Don't bother him, you simple minded fool!" Jaken reprimanded.

"Ah! Look!" Rin pointed up at the sky where a glowing light was headed toward them. Sesshoumaru instinctively placed his hand on the hilt of Tokijin as the glowing light headed towards them. The light landed and he saw that it was just a child; a shikigami, his senses told him.

"Who are you?" Sesshoumaru asked in his usually cold manner.

The child inclined her head. "I am called Asuka and my mistress, Kikyou-sama, sends for you."

"What does the dead want with I, Sesshoumaru?" He meant it as an insult towards Kikyou, but-for reasons unknown-it didn't sound like an insult at all.

Asuka, however, saw it for what it was.

"My mistress says that it is important…You will regret not coming."

"Who are you to tell Lord Sesshoumaru what to do?" Jaken said, defending his lord's honor.

Asuka turned her eyes toward him. "This does not concern you."

Jaken quieted himself and Rin did the same, despite the fact that it was usually she who made more noise upon the arrival of a visitor.

"If you do not wish to come…Then, as I have said, it will be the greatest mistake you will ever make." Without further ado, Asuka flew off, going slow in case Sesshoumaru wanted to follow her.

Sesshoumaru looked at the glowing light and followed; he had to admit that he was curious as to what he would regret if he didn't come.

SoSoSoSoSoSo

Kagome followed Kochou through the thick forest; quite glad that-thanks to her hanyou speed-she could catch up with Kochou.

Where is she taking me? Kagome thought as she easily jumped over a fallen log. An hour later, she and Kochou had come upon the mouth of a cave in a field of white flowers. A familiar scent hit her nose; she didn't need to wonder as Kikyou emerged from the mouth of the cave.

"It took you long enough," Kikyou said pointedly. Since she had saved Kagome, she had looked at her reincarnation in a sisterly way now.

Kagome didn't reply. Her body suddenly pulsed all over and she knew why; she was becoming a human. Her hair floated around her and her eyes became their normal color of brown. Kochou and Kikyou looked on, quite intrigued. Kagome stood up straight, human again.

"Interesting," Kikyou said softly. "This means that your spiritual powers have lessened."

"Why did you summon me here?" Kagome asked, ignoring the undead miko's comment.

"I cannot tell you just yet," Kikyou said, turning her back on Kagome so that she looked into the cave's dark depths.

"Why not?"

"We have to wait for someone else."

Kagome raised an eyebrow-which was quite useless since Kikyou had her back turned-and asked, "Who?"

"He comes."

Kagome and Kikyou spun around and saw that another glowing light-which might probably be Asuka since Kagome hadn't seen her around-was headed towards them. A moment later, Asuka landed next to Kochou and Sesshoumaru followed later.

Kagome's eyes widened. "Sesshoumaru? What are you doing here?"

Sesshoumaru spotted Kagome and was slightly surprised to see her there; he was also surprised as to why she was a human. But then, he reminded himself, tonight might just be her 'time.'

"What do you want, miko?" Sesshoumaru asked, directing his question towards Kikyou.

"I must confess…To a state of weakness," Kikyou said softly. Kagome stared at her, puzzled. Since when did Kikyou ever confess to being weak?

"What are you talking about?" Kagome asked. Kikyou remained quiet then she began to walk towards the cave.

"Follow me," she ordered. They followed Kikyou into the cave; Kikyou's shikigamis bringing up the rear. The path dark was and Kagome stumbled constantly; she blamed her human senses. Sesshoumaru and Kikyou did not stumble but walked on.

Kikyou stopped and those who were following her stopped as well. They suddenly found themselves in a chamber. The rocky ceiling was so high that Kagome couldn't see it. But what intrigued her and Sesshoumaru was the lake within the cave. Thanks to the moonlight filtering in through the cracks, Kagome and Sesshoumaru saw that the water was murky.

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed; it was the scent of Naraku's miasma. And it was coming from deep within the lake.

"What is the meaning of this?" Sesshoumaru asked Kikyou.

"Beneath this lake, lies something-correct me if I am mistaken-that is very dear to you." Why did she have to talk in riddles?

Kagome looked confused. "If it's precious to Sesshoumaru, then why did you bring me here as well?"

"Originally, I thought I was powerful enough to handle this…But Naraku has grown stronger and I cannot purify his miasma…I thought Kagome could help since she is very powerful-"

Kagome felt pleased at the comment.

"-but tonight is Kagome's night…I will have to rely on the mountain of the moon goddess to help her physical body…Kagome you can heal her soul while Sesshoumaru…keeps them at bay."

"Who?" Sesshoumaru asked curiosity piqued.

Kikyou gave them a small smile. "Underneath the lake…Kagome…Her soul is dying and you have to heal it."

"Whose soul is dying and do I have to heal it?" Kagome asked, repeating Sesshoumaru's question.

"Your second question, I will answer. You have to heal it because only a miko with a pure soul can heal another soul," Kikyou said sadly.

All this time, Sesshoumaru had been quiet. Whose soul needed to be healed? His eyes roamed to the middle of the lake and thought hard…No…It couldn't be…

"We have to go into that miasma filled lake, don't we?" Kagome asked.

"I see no reason why you should complain…You have done it before," Kikyou said, reminding Kagome of the time when she had come to Kikyou's aid.

Sesshoumaru approached the lake's edge, the blackened waters lapping gently against his boot, as if beckoning him to dive in.

"Well?" Kikyou asked. "Are you going to help her, or not?"

A splashing sound was heard; Kagome and Kikyou wheeled around to find Sesshoumaru gone. Kagome hesitantly followed him into the lake. She shuddered; the water felt so cold that it was as if frozen needles of ice were prickling her skin. She found out that-strange enough-she could breathe.

Kagome suddenly knew what Kikyou meant when she had said, 'while Sesshoumaru keeps them at bay.' The lake was filled with demons, like the ones Naraku had. A red demon suddenly came speeding towards her. She screamed and it came out as a jet of bubbles. A flash of green light killed the demon. Kagome looked at the source and saw Sesshoumaru holding out Tokijin; his silver hair floated eerily in the water and his pale complexion made him look like a ghost.

Sesshoumaru started swimming off and Kagome followed him. The miasma obscured her vision so much that Sesshoumaru had to grab her wrist and lead her toward the deeper end of the lake.

A soft white glow was seen at the very bottom. Sesshoumaru destroyed a hoard of demons with one swing of his Tokijin and they swam closer to the light…And their eyes widened in unison.

Mizuki was lying at the bottom, her hair floating ghostlike around her face. The wound on her shoulder was emitting miasma, a lot of it. Kagome and Sesshoumaru both had the same question in their minds; Mizuki was supposed to be dead, right?

Kagome and Sesshoumaru attempted to swim towards her, but they found their way barred by demons. Sesshoumaru let go of Kagome's wrist and destroyed the demons with his Tokijin; but more appeared, leaving Sesshoumaru to deal with them while Kagome swam towards the dying moon demoness.

The miasma felt like electricity against Kagome's skin as she reached Mizuki's side.

She's more poisoned than Kikyou was, Kagome thought. She gingerly lowered Mizuki's haori to see the extent of the poison and she gasped; bubbles came out of her mouth, of course. Mizuki's skin was grayish and the gray tinge was spreading…fast.

Kagome turned around to find Sesshoumaru; her hair moved ghostlike around her face, obscuring her vision. She saw Sesshoumaru preoccupied with demons that seemed to come out of nowhere.

Kagome turned back to Mizuki. What am I going to do?

She placed a hand on Mizuki's wound, hoping that her powers would be enough to purify the miasma. To her dismay, the miasma spread even faster. Did I just make it worse!? The miko thought, panicking. She focused all her energy on healing the wound; she completely forgot that she should be healing Mizuki's soul first…

A hand grabbed her wrist and Kagome looked up, expecting to see Sesshoumaru; her eyes widened. Mizuki held her wrist, stopping her from healing the body. Kagome looked at Mizuki; she was transparent and pearly white and the hand that held her wrist felt like smoke. Kagome looked at Mizuki's body, then at the transparent Mizuki…

What is going on here!? Kagome thought, eyes going from body to spirit.

Kagome…Mizuki's 'soul' brushed the words gently against the miko's mind.

Mizuki…you're dead? Kagome asked. The see through figure shook its head.
No…I am not…But I am dying…Mizuki looked sadly at her. Kikyou…she told you to heal my soul first…

Kagome's eyes widened. Oh Kami! I forgot about that! Forgive me! Seeing your…body all…wounded drove it out of my mind…

Do not save me, she said. Kagome shook her head, her hair getting into her eyes again. Why not!? Kagome asked. Mizuki let go of her wrist and it was then that Kagome noticed that she was fading with each passing moment; her soul was dying.

Mizuki, I'll heal you! Kagome said quickly. Mizuki gave her a sad smile. Can you? My soul is dying because of something that I remember…Naraku has made it so this memory will play and play in my head for all eternity…My soul is being consumed by it…

Then I'll help you change it! Kagome was determined.

Can you? Mizuki's soul seemed doubtful. Can you truly help me change a memory; a memory that has plagued me for years?

Kagome nodded. The last thing she saw was Mizuki placing a transparent hand to her forehead; light flashed and the miko found herself falling, falling into a black abyss…

And then…She was in a forest with her quiver and bow slung on her shoulder. Kagome didn't have time to wonder how she got there. Beyond the narrow gap in the trees, she could see a palace. She walked out of the forest and hid herself in a bush. There was a woman in front of the palace gates, admiring the full moon. She was very beautiful; her long dark, ebony hair fell past her waist and in her arms was an infant…a silver haired infant.

Inuyasha.

Inuyasha's mother.

Kagome looked at her. The only time she had seen Inuyasha's mother was when Sesshoumaru 'duplicated' her. Now that Kagome had seen Izayoi, she felt certain that the copy of Inuyasha's mother that Sesshoumaru had made couldn't compare to the real thing.

Princess Izayoi, a soft voice said. Kagome jumped and turned around. Mizuki's spirit was standing behind her; growing paler and paler with each passing minute.

"Mizuki…you're…"

Vanishing? Yes, I am…This memory will be the last I see if you cannot help me…Kagome…Anything that happens to you in this world of memories, happens to you in the real world. Pray make your choice: help me and risk your life or go back…

Kagome looked at her then said: "I'm going to help you!"

Mizuki smiled softly and motioned for Kagome to remain quiet and watch the memory.

"Inuyasha," Izayoi was saying sadly. "I met your Father on a full moon."

Inuyasha whimpered in her arms. "Shush," Izayoi said gently. The infant heard his mother's soft voice and quieted down.

Kagome thought how cute Inuyasha looked when he was merely a pup.

"Izayoi-hime," a voice called. Izayoi turned her head towards the palace gates to see a woman standing there, her attendant. "What is it, Haruko?" Izayoi asked.

"My Lady, I do not think it is safe for you to remain outside the palace, especially at night, the time when mononoke prowl about."

"Nonsense," Izayoi said briskly. She walked farther from the palace gate and continued, "I want Inuyasha to see the moon. It is rather hard to gaze at it from within the palace walls. Do not worry, I will come in shortly."

Haruko bowed and returned to the safety of the palace walls, not before she shot Inuyasha a disgusted glance, though.

Izayoi held the tiny one in her arms before she spoke to him with loving words, "When you grow up, I want you to be as strong as your Chichiue. I want you to have a nice future, not one full of hatred and prejudice."

She's such a good mother! Kagome thought. Behind her, she could feel Mizuki's soul tense. Kagome wondered why, but then a voice cut through the night air.

"Don't count on it, onna." a cold voice said softly. Kagome's eyes widened as Sesshoumaru suddenly came into view. He looked younger to Kagome and his hair was definitely shorter; in fact- it shamed the miko to say it- he was much better looking than Inuyasha.

"Who are you?" Izayoi asked.

"Hmph," the boy said. "Imagine that. Your 'mate' didn't tell you that he had a son?"

"You're his son? What is your name?" Izayoi asked.

"You need not know my name as you and that half-breed will not live long to utter it." Sesshoumaru said. Izayoi's eyes widened as his hands glowed a sickly green. Sesshoumaru threw the handful of poison at her and Inuyasha, but before it come into contact with them, a wall of earth shot up from the ground, effectively shielding them both. The wall melted as the poison touched it.

Kagome looked around and saw a younger Mizuki walking towards Sesshoumaru. Behind her, Kagome could hear Mizuki's soul sigh.

This is where our paths began to diverge, Mizuki said sadly. Kagome watched on.

"Mizuki," Sesshoumaru whispered quietly. In Kagome's opinion there was something about the way he looked at her; something she couldn't quite discern.

"What is the meaning of this?" he snapped as her blue eyes met his amber ones.

"I told you, didn't I?" she said quietly, averting her gaze. "I told you that how could you kill a tiny helpless thing?"

Sesshoumaru scowled at her. "I told you it is my duty to cleanse my family of tainted blood."

"Lady Izayoi," Mizuki said.

"Y-yes?" Izayoi asked uncertainly.

"Take Inuyasha and head back to the palace. I will deal with Sesshoumaru."

Izayoi ran back to the palace without further question. "Get out of the way, Mizuki," Sesshoumaru ordered.

Mizuki didn't budge. "No," she said firmly.

"No?" Sesshoumaru asked, raising an eyebrow. "Mizuki, if you do not move...I will have to kill you." Mizuki flinched silently. "No, I will not let you kill Inuyasha and his mother."

Sesshoumaru glared dangerously at her. "Do you really want to die that much?"

Mizuki stood her ground. "I thought...you..."

"Loved you?" Sesshoumaru finished for her. Mizuki looked away. "Do not think so foolishly, wench." Sesshoumaru hated the words that came out of his mouth. He looked at Mizuki. She was clearly hurt by what he had said.

Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru and suddenly felt hot anger towards him; his words were cold and they hurt. Kagome looked at Mizuki's soul and understood why she was dying. Her memory was –as Kagome now understood fully- killing her.

"So this is how it ends, huh?" Mizuki asked, she looked down at the ground.

Sesshoumaru regarded her silently. He never felt so regretful in his life.

"I have no regrets," Mizuki said coldly.

"So do I," Sesshoumaru said icily. He laid aside all of his feelings for her and brought his whip of light. Mizuki easily dodged it and sent a bunch of miniature tornadoes at the inu youkai, who easily dodged them.

If you wish to help me, Mizuki's soul whispered softly; her breath was like a cold wind. Now is the time.

Mizuki and Sesshoumaru were now battling. Kagome ran out of the bushes and to Mizuki's side. The two demons looked at Kagome, curious as to who she was. "Who are you?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"Mizuki, my name is Kagome," Kagome said, turning to Mizuki. "I'm here to help you."

"I do not know who you are," Mizuki said, stunned.

"It doesn't matter!" Kagome shot one of her arrows at Sesshoumaru, who jumped.

"A priestess?" the young youkai said. "You don't even look like one!"

"I am so sick and tired of hearing people say that I should look like Kikyou!" Enraged, Kagome shot an arrow at Sesshoumaru, it destroyed the spiked armor at his shoulder.

"You got him," Mizuki said softly.

Sesshoumaru stared angrily at Kagome. "You, ningen!" he transformed into the white dog that he was and Kagome momentarily wondered how Mizuki could –by the looks of her-love him. "Get back," Mizuki warned as the dog barked at them.

Kagome shook her head. She wasn't going to give up; if she changed this memory, then Mizuki's soul wouldn't die. "We'll hit him together!" Kagome said. She looked at Mizuki and they both nodded at each other.

As Sesshoumaru lunged at them both, Kagome fired her arrow at him and Mizuki sent a jet of fire at him; Kagome's arrow and the fire combined and the result was a jet of pure white light that aimed towards Sesshoumaru's chest. The light hit the canine in the chest, throwing him backwards into the trees, which were levelled instantly to the ground.

The dog glowed and in its place laid the young youkai lord; his chest armour was destroyed and there was blood pouring from a gash on the side of his cheek.

"Sesshoumaru," Mizuki whispered worriedly and ran to him. Kagome continued to watch from afar as Mizuki laid Sesshoumaru's head on her lap. Behind Kagome, Mizuki's soul appeared.

Kagome turned and saw that she was no longer growing paler. Mizuki's soul smiled at her. Thank you, Kagome,by changing this memory, you have saved me…

"It was nothing," Kagome said as she continued to watch the younger Mizuki and Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru whispered something to Mizuki and the young moon demoness blushed.

Kagome suddenly felt a powerful force pulling her upward. She soared into the sky, which grew darker and then…

She was back underwater. Mizuki's soul was nowhere to be seen. Kagome looked at Mizuki. She had healed her soul, but her body was still badly battered.

Her hair floated around her face as she looked around for Sesshoumaru. The youkai lord was swimming toward them. Kagome motioned for him to bring Mizuki to the surface. Sesshoumaru gently wrapped his arms around Mizuki and carried her upward, Kagome followed.

"It took you long enough," Kikyou said when they had come out of the lake. Sesshoumaru-understandably- still hadn't put Mizuki down.

"You were able to heal her soul then?" Kikyou asked. Kagome nodded.

"I changed a…memory before her soul could be healed," Kagome said. Sesshoumaru looked at her. What memory? Was it the one where he had nearly killed…? He turned his gaze away from Kagome and looked at Mizuki. She was unconscious in his arms, miasma dripped from her shoulder.

He inwardly sighed. When had he held her this close? Two hundred years ago, of course. He held her closer to him and despite the fact that she was wet with miasma, her intoxicating rosy scent still lingered.

"So what do we do now, Kikyou?" Kagome asked.

"Not 'we' but you and Sesshoumaru," Kikyou said. Before Kagome could open her mouth Kikyou cut in. "Fifty miles from here, there is a mountain, which is rumoured to be the resting place of the moon goddess; they say that if you are lucky, she is there during the crescent moon. Ask her to heal Mizuki."

"Why can't you come with us?" Kagome asked.

"The moon goddess favours the living and pure, I am afraid." There was sadness in Kikyou's eyes and Kagome felt a rush of sisterly affection towards her.

"Now, go. Sesshoumaru, it is best that you transform and take Kagome and Mizuki with you; it is faster that way," Kikyou said as they began walking out of the cave.

Sesshoumaru didn't usually take orders from the dead, but since his beloved's life was at stake, he had no choice. When they had reached they exit of the cave, Sesshoumaru transformed and Kagome hesitantly climbed on to his back, which was difficult since she had to carry Mizuki as well but with the help of Kochou and Asuka she got on and settled herself on the white dog's back.

"Go on then…and hurry before the sun rises," Kikyou warned. Kagome wrapped an arm around Mizuki's shoulder to keep her from falling off as Sesshoumaru ran with lightning fast speed.

Miasma dripped from Mizuki's shoulder onto Sesshoumaru's silky mane; Kagome was sure he didn't mind though.

"Hang on, Mizuki," Kagome whispered.

SoSoSoSoSoSo

Hooray! I'm finished! My fingers ache!
Inuyasha: Where's Tenseiga?
A1969: Quit it. Anyway…I have just finished soaking my teachers in Miasma and they are now…you get the picture.
News! I will make a sequel!!
Kagome: Really? Will I-whispers-be Inuyasha's….?
A1969: Obviously.
Kagome: (Screams in delight)
Inuyasha: Huh? What just happened to her?