Disclaimer: I have thought about it, and I have realized that I do not own Inuyasha. According to my non-existent contract, this fanfic is based on the Swan Princess.

I have faltered from the level of writing JUST 1st person views. I have given up and decided to add the "3rd POV", which is NOT my narration. Granted that there will still be 1st POVs. Inuyasha and Kagome have been sorely disappointed in me, according to my will and imagination. Thus, some being of no present participation in the story shall narrate when needed and granted.

Key note: Some of which that has been typed above are truly sarcastic comments thrown in by the author who was not feeling so dandy at that moment. The author apologizes for the long wait and excessive uses of italics. Thank you…

+Previously+
Commotion stirs from Inuyasha mistaking the swan Kagome for Naraku and trying to kill her to his encounters of Shippou and Jaken. Little is known about Sesshomaru, Kouga, Kagura, and even…Naraku (who is still unconscious because the author typed so). The time of day is still night.

Beauty? Is That It? -- Chapter 25 (NOT Inuyasha's or Kagome's POV)
Kagome and Inuyasha bathe in each other's presence, absolutely in utter content for the time being. Nothing seems to stop them, not even the water below flowing along their feet. They believe it is grand as they rock in each other's arms. Their loving auras meld together, glowing brightly. They shed light to the foggy surrounding, making the "smog" fall into mist.

Suddenly, reality seems to hit the shorter of the two, the more beautiful of the two. She clings to his haori, looking on with pleading eyes, "I'm sorry!"

Inuyasha is appalled, thinking she is crazy for saying such a thing. "What for? I should be—no, I am sorry for mistaking you as Naraku and…" he drifts off, not wanting to say that he 'tried to kill' her. Those words sound so horrible to him. Indeed, other people would agree.

Kagome comfortably plays with the Shikon necklace around his neck. Inuyasha brings up her hands to kiss them. She tilts her head before bursting into relieving tears. "I th-thought you wanted t-to kill me because I rejected you." She begins to sob rather loudly.

Inuyasha goes quickly to wipe the tears away from her stunning auburn eyes, and then kissing both her eyelids as a sign of comfort…and "love".

He cups her face in-between his palms, "Come back with me."

"No!" Kagome squirms out of his personal space, ripping the Shikon necklace from Inuyasha's neck and allowing it to fall unto the shallow waters. She goes to clarify herself, "I can't…"

Inuyasha's surprise is apparent as he shakes his head in annoyance, his silver locks fraying side to side, "WHY NOT?" He allures a strong breeze in his outburst.

Kagome squeezes her hands at her sides, casting a downward glance at the shimmering lake. Her voice is barely audible; her luscious dark bangs shade her eyes, "I already explained AND clarified the answers to that."

The hanyou's large golden-yellow orbs twinkle in sweet sorrow as his mind replays those…words of hers. He does not want to hear them again. He tries to dig for some compensation, "Well, could you least come to one of my mother's 'wonderful' parties?" He pauses only to continue, "It's tomorrow night."

The wind eases up, but Kagome's downcast remains the same. Inuyasha averts his gaze, bringing a hand to entangle in his long hair, as he sighs, "I know you probably don't want to go or be there, but can you at least spare a night? A night to formally announce what you have…chosen to do with the rest of your life?"

Kagome still does not answer and Inuyasha's patience wears thin. He glares at her, "Oh, come on! Do you want to stay with Naraku THAT much to the point in which you can't keep a few hours AWAY from him?"

Slap! Stinging pain splatters his left cheek. "SHUT UP!" Kagome heaves at him like a raging bull before spitting boyishly into the somber lake. "DO YOU THINK I HAVE A CHOICE?" She immediately gasps, covering her mouth with her hands and seeing her mistake.

Inuyasha is again surprised, but instead of being logical, he stomps a foot upsetting the water, "You are so fucking confusing Kagome!" He then abruptly hisses in disgust at himself, and then calms himself before speaking. He closes his eyes satisfyingly, "Look, just see if you can make it. I don't care if it's out of pity or sympathy." Kagome gazes at him, shocked in his change of character. Inuyasha opens his eyes, staring at her tenderly, "I care about you, 'Gome."

He scoops her into his arms. His heart drops as she stands immobile, seemingly unaffected by his touch. Sighing dejectedly, he expresses his final devotions to her, "No matter what, 'Gome, I will always adore you. You will forever be my one and only. Whatever or whoever makes you happy, I will support…You will forever have my support."

Inuyasha kisses her cheek, and then her lips. He steps back and bows formally to her. Slightly wading out of the lake, he raises his arms to rest behind his head. "I guess that means I can't kill Naraku, so I guess I'll be leaving now."

Kagome stumbles almost forlornly after him. "Wait!" He turns around to find her 2 feet away. "I'll come. Save me a dance…for old times' sake." A nice breeze passes.

Inuyasha's eyes glint happily, yet mischievously. Kagome misses this clue as she smiles. A power surge causes her to frown and panic. Inuyasha senses this as well. He looks at her worryingly, but after he sees her persistent gaze, he nods prior to leaping away and out of the barrier before the miasma comes.

As Inuyasha disappears into the mist, a figure spooks over Kagome. Terror flashes in Kagome's eyes as she shudders. Her mind processes one word: doom.

Currently speaking, the action follows both:
One through the praiseworthy victim,
The other from the foresight of an insightful dignitary.

After Inuyasha escapes from the barrier, he quickly speeds to his original site that has gone through a makeover in his absence. It looks as if several cyclones hit. A mixer has stirred the ground, demolished the surrounding trees, and pulverized the boulders into dust and rubble. Put simply, it's an enormous mess.

Kouga is barely standing as he breathes heavily; light bruises and deep cuts tattoo his body. He looks like he will collapse if he makes one more move; he slouches with his arms hanging down tiredly. Vision only works through his right eye now. He has obviously had many failed attempts in hurting his enemy.

Sesshomaru is in a slightly better shape. The cuts are seen only on his tattered outfit; bruises and dirt splotch him from face to legs. He is collected but not very calm as leaves and soil swim in his hair. Kagura has some minor wounds, but pale in comparison to the other two. Some feet away, she floats in the air with her kimono sliced from her waist down, revealing her pallid slender legs.

Her fan is extended to Sesshomaru. "Give up now, Lord Sesshomaru," she smirks, "I might allow you to live if you do."

Sesshomaru bares his fangs furiously. "I decline," he leers amusingly, "I refuse to take pity from a whore."

Kagura growls, "Don't call me THAT!" Her fan slices the air, creating wind blades hurdling towards Sesshomaru. He easily dodges all of them. "All right then, how about harlot? That word has some dignity."

The wind sorceress shrieks, "Shut up, you orphaned bastard!"

That did it…Sesshomaru stands his ground in invisible utter-disbelief. Inuyasha and Kouga twitch. Of course, no one may see the surprise in his eyes unless one is perceptive. It isn't Sesshomaru's fault that his original parents passed away. However, this is not what strikes him. It is the fact that a demoness, of such lower class than he, has spoken down to him. For some reason, this royal family comprised of two demonic brothers has some inferiority complex issues.

Inuyasha pulls out Tessaiga in fury. "You stupid bitch! No one low blows Sesshomaru except me!" He goes to jump in, but Sesshomaru stops him. "Inuyasha! This is my fight. Go and take Kouga with you. I will follow after I kill her."

The younger brother hesitates, "But—"

Sesshomaru glares concernedly, "GO!"

Inuyasha gulps and nods before trotting over to Kouga. Wrapping a supportive arm around Kouga's waist, Inuyasha leaps back to Inu Keep. "I don't need your help, mutt," groans Kouga as he twitches. "Well, your 'body' is saying otherwise," replies Inuyasha, not minding the negative nickname.

It is about time to report back to Naraku…for the plans are nearing completion, requiring this one's assistance.

(Kagome's POV)
Oh no! My inner self screeches in horror. How could Naraku get out? What should I—

Strong hands push me down to the ground before I can finish my thoughts. I groan, trying to turn over…only to fail as I feel his body crush me. Aw, gross, this is wrong! Suddenly, he grabs my head and slams it into the dirt. A whimper escapes me as blood trickles down my forehead. The sound out of my mouth is muffled as soon as I feel heat on the back of my neck. I gasp as Naraku's tongue licks my flesh.

"Aren't you just the clever one...? That spell of yours would have worked if you had been a real priestess."

Stifling a sob, I tighten my fists into the earth and tighten my eyes shut as he brings his hands to my hips and kiss my cheek…the same place where Inuyasha had kissed me just a few moments before. I hope he doesn't know that Inuyasha was here.

"All this because of that human 'Onigumo'. How he got the better of me, I do not know. Or maybe…" he pauses as he grinds into me, "it's because of you. You did something to him."

I squeak from the pressure. "Iie," (1) I muffle. Please don't rape me, please don't rape me, puh-lease don't ruh-ape me…my thoughts run on and on.

Relief washes over me as he gets off. I am raised from the ground unto my feet with the wave of his hand. He never showed me that power before. I gaze at him questioningly. He sees this, and I see his blood-colored eyes laugh at me. "Do you call me for an idiot?" He brings a hand out, holding the Shikon necklace at arms length.

Trauma hurtles at me. Shoot!

"If I am correct, this had belonged to you. Then you gave it to that…half-breed, and yet here it is in my clutches. You have no idea what power this necklace has," he sneers at me, "I had been wondering how you had gotten so resilient when you were with Onigumo and how Inuyasha grew so strong in such little time after I had lovingly punched you that one day. It came onto me: the Shikon jewel on this necklace." It jingles as he waves it before me.

Smirking, he places it around his neck, "Now I have more power than before." He sighs disappointingly, "I believe I have to come out with the whole truth now."

Just then, Kohaku morphs in, giving a piece of paper to Naraku. "Here are the directions, as you ordered. Those ogres you sent did their job and that Jaken inadvertently aided as well. Everything is going according to your plan." Kohaku's eyes are blank and distant.

Plan? What plan? Ogres? Jaken? Where IS Jaken? I stare at Kohaku disbelievingly, knowing that he doesn't recognize me when under Naraku's control. My vision is blurred a bit because of my forehead injury.

Unexpectedly, Naraku hurls me into a tree, clasping my arms and legs with thick vines. I struggle, only making the vines tighten around my whole body. "What are you doing?" I practically scream out.

Naraku gives a "hmph" nonchalantly, "You do not know? Why, to make sure you do not escape again, of course. Also, to make certain that you do not run away, telling the 'prince' of my plans…tonight OR tomorrow night."

"You can't stop me!"

"Oh, I beg to differ. You see, I plan to have…someone else crash the ball, and to assure that you cannot interfere. Kohaku had one of his daily visits with his little harlot. They were 'attacked' by ogre demons, whom I had called upon myself a few days earlier. Kohaku was to find Inuyasha's palace and take down the directions since for some reason I could not locate it myself. It was probably because of that old priestess—"

"Old priestess? You mean Kaede?" The interjection earns a whack across my face. I cringe from the stinging pain, as I taste pasty fluid flow inside my mouth. I know it's not saliva…

I try to spit at Naraku's feet but miss poorly as he continues, "I had programmed my plans into Kohaku even before then. I knew you were planning an escape, but I did not know how or when, so I had to be safe. An old friend of yours will tear away your heart bit by agonizing bit. It seems the person's despise for your lover has consumed her. Her hatred of anything impure bloomed the moment Onigumo tried to…Well, you were there. Do you have any idea why she did not return to you?"

Right then, I figure out he's talking about Kikyo. Kikyo has a hatred for half-demons? What did happen to her?

"Simply, her pity and sadness transformed. She returned only to have it that way. Onigumo actually did something correct for once."

Unfortunately, 2 and 2 is not adding for me to make 4. That could be from Naraku's banging of my head earlier. "What? Kikyo would never hurt me!"

Naraku rolls his eyes, "No matter. You will soon find out." He signals Kohaku to hold out his hand. Burgundy beams with scattering particles centralized and solidify in Kohaku's palm, turning into what-looks-like an unusually long crimson kunai. Naraku commandingly points at me.

Gasping, I curse, "Oh…shnaps…" (2) I struggle in the tight vines that have already slowed my blood circulation. The vines separate, revealing my chest. I suppose that is where the kunai is supposed to go. "NOOO! Kohaku don't!" I whimper with panicking tears ridging over my eyes.

Kohaku obediently walks over and raises my head with one hand, holding the kunai in the other. What is going to happen? Is Naraku finally going to kill me? I always thought he would to it with his own hands. Then again, it's so much more agonizing…to have a friend do it. Is Kohaku my 'old friend' who 'will tear away my heart' literally?

I helplessly watch the kunai edges closer to me. Slow motion…just slowly watching it.

A strange pause lingers. As I flinch, I hear, "What are you doing?"

(Inuyasha's POV)
Kouga is a FAT wolf. I'm serious! Man, he's heavy. A third on the way back Kouga's legs collapsed. He specialized in his legs, so if Kagura is able to get him that injured and tired, she must have gotten heck-a stronger…o0or Kouga got more stupid. Of course, he doesn't believe me as he pounds on my head for calling him 'fat' and 'stupid'. Why is it that he has enough energy to do that…

I grunt as I heave him on my back, having lost a bit of grip on him. We are half way home. Love…is confusing. Heh, many people might agree and some would be wondering why this thought recurred in my head. It's because I am bored of hearing Kouga complain…about his pain, about his wanting to fight, about his injuries, about his wounded pride, about…blah, blah, blah. Dammit he won't shut up! I should just knock him out, but then I wouldn't have reason to daze off. Kagome is confusing.

Hey, that means Kagome is love. Well, my love anyway even if she doesn't love me. I guess I'm still in shock. After so many months, I'm still in shock, ever since Kagome came to the castle and spewed those gruesome words to me. Maybe…I can change her mind.

I snap my head back; a revelation jumps out, "Yeah! That's what I'll do!"

"Ow, you damn mutt. You bashed your empty skull into mine!" The top of Kouga's head rests on my shoulder as he tries to ease the pain emitting from his forehead.

I would usually give a smart-aleck comeback…but I think this isn't the time for it, really. What the…? What is this immense…oh crap! I immediately turn around to avert most of the force onto me. I hold my breath, as the sand storm thrusts forward, pushing me into the ground and forcing me to drop Kouga. We roll several feet and I'm blown farther away since I took direct damage.

Seconds later, the 'storm' passes. I finally breathe and open my humane-demon eyes, easily adjusting to the dusty surrounding and the little light of the night. Kouga instantly starts violently coughing. Damn, I forgot to warn him. I wobble to my feet, running over to him. I sit him up, somewhat hugging him, throwing his arms over my shoulders and patting his back. "You okay?"

Suddenly, Kouga shoves me away as he turns to the side. Continuing to cough even more intensely, he curls on hands and knees over the ground. Blood spurts from his mouth. Slightly seeing this, Kouga brings a hand over in attempts to stop it but to no avail. The blood keeps coming. I scoot over to him, placing my hand on his forehead to check his temperature. Actually, I don't know what I am trying to accomplish by doing that, but it seems to help. Eh…emphasis on 'seem'.

Kouga does stop coughing, but he gasps and blood rushes to his face. He fiercely grabs my outreached hand only to bring it to his cheek and lean into it. Before I know it, my back is on the earth with Kouga on top straddling me. I look at his face. My eyes widen tenfold as I see a deep blush smooth over his cheeks and a lustful light glow in his violet-brown eyes. His right hand brushes through my bangs and then traces my lips.

Making this face (0.o), my thoughts run: Everyone, this is effed up…

(NOT Inuyasha's or Kagome's POV)
Kagome opens her eyes to notice Kohaku struggling with the kunai, half an inch from slicing her chest. His facial expression is still expressionless, but his eyes have a battle of their own. "I was following orders," replies Kohaku to the starry night sky.

"Even if they require murdering your friend, you will follow?" inquires himself.

How interesting…he is battling with himself, aloud. His kunai hand shakes uncontrollably; however, he does not drop it.

"Wrong. This order will not kill the subject, but temporarily silence her human form."

"So…you will make her suffer, the girl who is like your older sister, the girl who is your sister's best friend. You will make your sister suffer as well?"

"Sister? I…"

"There is no "I" for you, Kohaku," interjects Naraku. He comes over and holds Kohaku's hand, thrusting the kunai into Kagome's heart. A distressing and excruciating cry emanates from the princess. Tears fall from Kohaku's eyes. This discharges reminiscence… a memory of the time he killed his family when his sister barely survived the incident.

Bright ruby rays shine as the crimson kunai merges with Kagome who whimpers as the stinging pain changes to smoldering soreness and throbbing. Ecstasy screams from her face as she glows brightly. The vines loosen and disappear. She in her swan form and Kohaku both faint and collapse.

Naraku laughs maniacally. He abruptly stops as he hears something from the bushes nearby. Shippou had been watching in surprise and terror. Now, he is even more scared. As Naraku approaches his 'hiding place', Shippou panics for his small yet somewhat significant life. He crouches and puts his hands over his head, shutting his eyes, seemingly saying, Oh, I wish I could transform into something less noticeable. Unexpectedly, a cloud enshrouds him. Naraku checks the bush only to find a frog cowering in fear (3). Naraku smirks arrogantly, Of course, animals would be afraid of me. They will only become even more so with this powerful Shikon necklace and after my plot is completed.

Naraku smugly smiles. Everything, absolutely everything is going according to plan. Things have been falling into place since the beginning ever since Kagome was born. "Everyone" is a puppet, playing his or her part.

(Inuyasha's POV)
Kouga can get very rough and forceful when something has to do with what he wants…and apparently, he wants…I hate to say it…so I won't. I gave up several minutes ago to try and use violence to stop him because all that did was 'turn him on' even more. This is so sickening. I can't take this!

Right when Kouga begins to remove my inner haori, I shove him off me and run like Kagura in the wind: swift and fast. The dark woods are a blur. Hope rises as I catch sight of InuKeep. Running scared really passes time. A small stream flows along the castle and as I reach it, a tug spins me around and I collide lips with Kouga.

OH FREAKING KAMI! HELL NO! I punch his face well and hard, but in doing so, I lose balance and fall into the stream. Instinctively, I grab Kouga who falls in too. The freezing water streams along my waist, scurrying away in having soaked me. Kouga is on my lap, wrapping his arms around me and nuzzling his head at my neck. Moments after he seems to come back to reality as he gasps and examines our position and situation.

A close screeching sound causes my demon ears to internally die. Kouga jumps out of the stream and starts making childish noises, incoherently yelling about 'mutt cooties'. Rolling my eyes, I sigh. Something was in that dust storm and because Kouga breathed some in, it affected him like a sex drug making him instantly attract to the person nearby. I wonder how this would've turned out if I had also sniffed some in. This makes me twitch in disgust. Eww…that is nasty.

"So, Kouga, do you know what just happened?"

Kouga suddenly calms and stares at the night sky, indicating with his fingers the gist of the situation, "Sort of…that dirt gale passed, feeling sick, the coughing, blood, suddenly I thought you were really hott and I wanted to get into your pants."

"Kami, wolf! You didn't have to say that last part! What are you? Gay? Suddenly turned the other way because you can't have Kagome?"

I expect him to get pissed and punch me as usual, but he laughs sheepishly, "Sorry, mutt. I guess the attraction hasn't totally worn off yet, but now I can see what Kagome had seen in you."

My facial expression is (-.-), "oOokay, I'm not going to carry you now. Go limp into the castle!" I climb out of the stream and stomp to the gates while keeping an eye on Kouga. Hopefully, no one else heard his not-straight comment.

TBC…

(1) – It means "no…"
(2) – I use that expression xD.
(3) – If you've seen the movie, you see the connection. The frog scene is from there.

VERY SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT and FOR THE LITTLE OOC. I might be losing my touch with this. I couldn't help but put some things hilariously scary in here. This is rated T for something. It's kinda out of nowhere, but believe me that the 'storm' is for an important reason other than my sad attempt for a yaoi touch. Thank you to XBlackRoseX909 for your suggestion of a different and easier POV. It helped me with new ideas and my semi-writer's block.

Thank you others who reviewed last chappie: kagome442006, Archerelf, i.swear.to.drunk.im.not.god, Cagalli-Yula-Athha, raina, and kouji. I tried using the replying feature…tell me if you didn't get one because half way through I got "page cannot be displayed" so I don't know if you got it.

raina: No! Kikyo isn't like that…hold your 'judgment' until the end. Thanks for the review!

kouji: I'm happy that I have over 100, hehe. BTW, why do you give me such a degrading nickname…-.-

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you didn't, go ahead and leave a constructive criticism review or PM. Remember, telling me "this story sucks" doesn't help you OR me. Tell me what is wrong and a suggestion of how to fix it/them. Ja ne until next time; the real climax is coming! While waiting for the next chappie, check out Cagalli-Yula-Athha's fanfics and my oneshot...ARIGATOU!