Kagome was suffocating. The minute her Fili, Kili Bofur and Oin entered the Mountain it felt like she couldn't get enough air. The sickness was all around choking her trying to creep into her very heart and into her soul. Bilbo comes running towards them.

"Stop, stop you need to leave, we all need to leave." Bofur gave him a confused look. "We only just got here."

Bilbo went on. "I've tried talking to him but he won't listen."

Oin pushed his trumpet further into his ear to see if he heard right, "What do you mean Laddie."

Bilbo sighed in frustration, "Thorin, Thorin. He has been down there for days. He doesn't sleep, he barely eats. He's not been himself, not at all. I think a sickness lies on it."

Kili moves closer to Bilbo, "Sickness, what kind of sickness?"

Just then Fili made a dash for the stairs but Kagome caught his arm before he could go any further. With Kili's help they were able to restrain Fili. Kagome looked at Bilbo.

"It's this place, Bilbo the sickness is all around us. I felt it the minute we walked in here. Don't you guys feel it?!"

Bilbo and the Dwarves gave her a confused look. Kagome rolled her eyes.

"Oh come on don't you feel the heaviness in the air? Don't you feel like you're struggling to breathe, a choking sensation?" Kagome says.

Come to think of it they could feel that, it was beginning to become unbearable. They nodded their heads yes.

"Alright outside all of you, now!" Kagome ordered.

Without a word the Dwarves that had traveled to the mountain from laketown obeyed her command along with Bilbo. Once outside Bilbo and the Dwarves could breathe a lot easier.

"What was that about, Kagome?" Kili asked as he gasped for air.

"That dear Kili, is Smaug." Kagome said in a serious tone as she lowered her yellow pack to the ground and began rifling through it.

"But Kagome, Smaug is dead I saw him fall into the lake." Bilbo says to his friend as he knelt down beside her. She glanced up at him before continuing to look through her pack.

"His body may have been destroyed but his spirit came straight back to the mountain and waited for Thorin." Kagome tells them with in a grave tone.

Fili comes closer now. "What do you mean, Kagome?"

She looks up into Fili's eyes, those eyes that remind her of Thorin. Her eyes soften, placing a hand on his shoulder she tells him.

"Your Uncle is not mad." Bilbo is about to protest, but Kagome holds up her hand, "Thorin is not mad, he has been possessed by the spirit of Smaug."

Bilbo and the Dwarves are in disbelief. Could it be their leader and King was possessed by the spirit of that slimy slug? But how were they going to fight against a spirit to free their King? All eyes turned to Kagome, their priestess and future Queen.

"What are we going to do, Kagome? We can't fight evil spirits!" Oin exclaims.

"Maybe you can't but I can, it's what I do, who I am, ah ha" She suddenly exclaims as she finally found what she was looking for.

"What are those things, Kagome?" Bofur asks.

In her hand she has several beaded bracelets with strange writing on them.

"These are charms that you wear around your wrists, they were blessed by a very powerful monk I used to know in my world. Put them on and keep them on, DO NOT take them off no matter what. They'll keep you safe from Smaug's possession. Because make no mistake, he is trying to possess all of you. Especially you two." Kagome says pointing at Fili and Kili. "Now let's go save your Uncle."

Once back inside the castle the change in the atmosphere was immediately noticed. They didn't feel weighted down and could breathe easier. But they could also see the other worldly mist that was thick in air.

"Was that what we were breathing in? No wonder we had a hard time of it." Bofur said as he reach out to touch the mist. Kagome grabbed Bofur's arm before he could touch the mist.

"Don't touch that Bofur! All the mist that you now see is part of Smaug's spirit trying to possess you."

Bofur jerked his hand back as if he had been burned, putting it in his pocket.

"What are we going to do Kagome? Bilbo asked.

Kagome glanced around the cavernous halls. "First we need to find the others and get these charms on them."

After some searching they were finally able to find the others. "Thank Mahal, we thought you all had perished in that inferno." Dwalin said clapping the boys on the back, and pulling them into a fierce hug.

Bofur and Oin also went off to greet their kin. Balin had just finished greeting Fili when he felt someone's hand upon his elbow.

"Kagome, lass, where have you been hiding? Here give me a proper hug." Which she gladly did. Balin reminded her of her grandpa at the Shrine. Except Balin was a l0t wiser.

After he released her, Kagome took on a more serious tone. She took hold of his arms "I know what's wrong with Thorin, Balin. But first everyone needs to gather around."

Balin looked at her demeanor and nods. Stepping out of the room he calls everyone. "Alright, in here all of you. Kagome has something important to tell us."

Everyone filed into the room that couldn't be bigger than a storage closet, Kagome shuts the door.

"First of all I'm happy to see that you all made it safe and sound. Well all except one. But we'll get to that in a minute. For now I want you all to put these charmed bracelets on. Kili, will you hand out the braclets please?"

While Kili passed those out Kagome sat on the floor and said a quick prayer, and threw up her hands. Her and the entire Company were surrounded by her pink barrier, protecting them, but from what?

Once they were all handed out the charms and the Dwarves had put them on, they felt a sudden weight lifted off their shoulders. They could breath a lot easier, Nori looked at Kagome and asked.

"What happened, what did you do to us?"

She got off the floor, dusted herself off then addressed the Dwarves and Bilbo. "I'll explain in a minute Nori. But first I want you to know I know about Thorin," Simultaneously all heads looked down, "I'm telling you right now that I can cure him."

Dwalin's head shot up and he looked at his brother. "Lass I don't think you can, he's gone completely mad. He doesn't recognise anyone as a friend. I'd hate to see what he would do to you." Dwalin says in a gentle voice, while placing a hand on her shoulder.

Kagome gave Dwalin a warm smile then shook her head. "You don't understand, Dwalin. Thorin is not mad, he's possessed by the evil spirit of the filthy dragon Smaug."

"But how is that possible?" Dori asked.

Kagome explains, "After Bard killed the dragon, the evil of Smaug was strong enough to survive without a body. So to exact his revenge he went to the mountain to attack Thorin's soul. Right now there is a war waging within Thorin between him and Smaug. And if he loses, Smaug will devour his soul and live on through the body of Thorin Oakenshield."

"What can we do against such magical things, we need Gandalf!" Ori said in frustration.

"No we don't need Gandalf. I am a priestess, The Shikon No Miko, the most powerful priestess of my line. I am trained to handle these things and I know with all of my heart I can save Thorin."

Bilbo and the Dwarves looked upon Kagome and only saw strength, determination and a great deal of love for their king.

"What do you need us to do, Kagome? How can we help?" Balin asked.

Kagome placed a hand on Balin's shoulder. "For now there is nothing you can do. But when the time comes, do exactly what I tell you and don't question it." Bilbo and the Dwarves gave each other nervous glances, but agree to do as she says.

"Right now I need to meditate and get ready. You all go about your business... act normal or else Smaug will suspect. Boys, go down and see your Uncle now. Don't be afraid of what you see and keep those charms on." Fili and Kili nod. They leave the room making a beeline straight for the treasure room.

When they got to the vault, they are surprised and also a little frightened by what they find there. Standing on top of all the gold was Thorin. He was wearing a crown and furs that were not his own. He looked sick, pale with dark circles under his eyes and he looked a bit thinner in the face. There was also a mad look in his eyes. But that's not what frightened Fili and Kili. What frightened them was the silhouette of the dragon Smaug hovering just behind Thorin. Mimicking his every move like a shadow.

Thorin finally looked up and noticed the boys. Spreading his arms wide Thorin addressed them. "Behold the great treasure horde of Thror, welcome my sister's sons." Thorins says with an evil grin.

Fili and Kili shutter at the sound of his voice. For it was not his true voice, it was a mixture between Thorin's and Smaug's voice! It was the most terrifying sound they had ever heard.

At that moment Bilbo comes rushing in. He lets out a gasp at what he sees before him. He too can see what the boys see, with the help of Kagome's charms. Thorin/Smaug turns and glares at Bilbo.

"Is there something wrong Master Baggins?" They ask.

Bilbo swallows hard. "No, no, no there's nothing wrong Thorin. Just stifling a sneeze that's all."

Thorin/Smaug gives him an insane smile "Good, now all of you get down here and begin searching for the Arkenstone."

Bilbo turns around to see the entire Company standing behind him and the boys. All of them with the same dumbstruck look on their faces as they gawk at Thorin/Smaug.

Balin is the first to recover, he clears his throat. "You heard him lads, let's get to work on finding the Arkenstone." Balin tells them as he walks down into the treasure room. The rest of the Dwarves and Bilbo follow him down.

Meanwhile Kagome is preparing to meet Smaug head on. She is going through her pack looking for the sutras that Miroku had given her. She shook her head as she searched. 'I knew I should have been the one to kill that dragon the first time. I could have purified him right then and there.' Kagome thought angrily.

She squealed in triumph when she finally found the sutras. Once she had all the thing she needed to face Smaug she set them beside her and began to meditate. Kagome took a deep calming, cleansing breath. She suddenly felt a presence in the room with her, a comforting familar presence. She opened her eyes to find the figure of the ancient priestess Midoriko standing in front of her. The warrior priestess gave Kagome a reassuring smile.

* Take heart Kagome and steel your nerves for the spirit of Smaug is a formidable.*

Kagome looked down at her hands. "Will I be able to defeat this demon on my own, Midoriko-Sama?"

Midoriko stepped closer to Kagome, placing her hand under her chin she raising her head. *Do not give in to your fear, my child. You are the strongest priestess of your line and you are wise beyond your years. More importantly your love for this Dwarf is beyond measure. You will be able to defeat this evil and any other that comes your way, just remember Thorin is still in there fighting, though his strength is fading. You are ready to face this demon.*

Midoriko backed away from Kagome then vanished, leaving Kagome alone. Kagome took a deep breath, nodding to herself, gathered her things, stood up and left the room.

She made her way to the treasure room as quickly and as quietly as possible. When she entered she couldn't believe the vast amount of gold there was. It was just an endless sea of gold and jewels and standing on top of it all in all his tainted majesty was Thorin Oakenshield. He was at the moment barking out orders to the Company to continue the search for the Arkenstone. Thorin glanced in her direction, but Kagome is behind a pillar. She wanted to observe Thorin for a while. All the Magnificence and Majesty that was once Thorin Oakenshield was now gone. All that was left is this greedy conniving, creature. Whose only goal is to collect the Arkenstone, and once that happens Thorin will be lost forever and Smaug will have won.

Kagome shakes her head, she can see it better than anyone. Thorin is still fighting the Dragon, though his strength is failing him. She stays where she is and observes.

"There will be no rest until the Arkenstone is found." Thorin bellows.

Bilbo and the Dwarves hunched over and continued searching. Kagome narrowed her eyes on Bilbo and then she felt it. The pulsating power of the Arkenstone.

'So Bilbo has already found it. Good he should know to keep it as far from Thorin as possible.' She thought. Kagome was watching for her moment to confront Thorin/Smaug.

The day wore on, the stuggle between Thorin and Smaug continued and Smaug was winning. To anyone who could not see clearly, it would seem that Thorin was descending deeper into madness. But that wasn't the case he was weakening, his soul was being consumed by the dragon.

Kagome couldn't watch from the shadows any longer. She descended into the treasure room. She took one step onto the gold and Thorin/Smaug whirled around to face her. His eyes narrowed at the sight of her and they hissed.

"Take that woman away from here." They commanded as they backed away from Kagome.

All in the room shivered at Thorin/Smaug's voice. It was Thorin's with Smaug's mixed in as well making it sound eerily cold and cruel.

No one moved. "Did you not hear what I said? Get this woman out of my sight!" They said once again backing away as Kagome took another determine step toward them.

"Guys I need you to leave." Kagome said. Once again they all hesitated. "NOW, guys this is between him and me."

Dwalin came to his senses. "We can not leave you alone with him, he'll kill you."

Kagome looked back at Dwalin and smirked. "This isn't my first time dealing with a demon, now go." Finally the Dwarves made for the door.

Thorin/Smaug laughed an evil laugh as he began to circle the room his movements more serpant like than before. "So you have figured it out I see. Well you are too late, Thorin Oakenshield is mine!" The dragon hissed, "His soul and soon his body will be mine to command, and I will live on through this body as KING UNDER THE MOUNTAIN!

Thorin/Smaug lunged for Kagome, but she easily used his momentum to slam him into the gold. She then ran, getting some distance from them.

Kagome had some difficulty running on the gold but she was able to get some distance from them. She pulled out two Shikigamis from her pocket, pressed the two hairs she had into them and threw them at Thorin/Smaug. The Shikigamis turned into Miroku and Inuyasha who Instantly they grabbed Thorin/Smaug by the arms in an iron grip. Kagome slid to a stop. She turned to face the Dwarf/Dragon.

"You can't have him Smaug or this kingdom. This kingdom belongs to the true King Under The Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield. And Thorin belongs to me."

She then lifts a sutra that Miroku had given her, high in the air, says a prayer and throws at Thorin. It hit him in the forehead causing him to let out a blood curdling scream knocking Smaug out of him and causing Thorin to go limp in the arms of the Shikigami.

"Get him out of here and shut the door." Kagome commanded. 'Inuyasha' and 'Miroku' nodded and did just that. As they were dragging Thorin out he came to and saw how the Spirit of Smaug loomed over Kagome. He stuggled to break free from their grip.

"Let me go, let me go! I must help her. I must help my One!" Thori yells.

The Shikigami hand Thorin to Dwalin and rushed back into the vault shutting the vault door behind them and bolting it shut.

"No, Kagome!" Thorin screamed as the door shut.

The Shikigami rush to either side of her ready to help at a moments notice. The spirit of Smaug bends down to Kagome's level.

"Sso little human, you are a priestess? I should have known. That black arrow had far too much power to have been able to bring down my body with just one shot, but no matter this form is far more convenient. It was far easier to enter the weakling's mind and take over. But, you, you had to ruin everything and now you die." The Dragon spirit lunges for Kagome, but the Inuyasha Shikigami steps in the way and draws his sword. The Dragon rears back and begins to laugh.

"Do you honestly think that a mere paper doll will safe you, priestess? I'll shred him into nothing." Smaug hisses.

But as Smaug rears back his claws the Shikigami begins to shimmer, and transform. A bright light washes over it and as the claw come down, the fang of the real Tetsusaiga blocks the Dragons claws and pushes him back. The Dragon is left reeling by the strength of the sword. Kagome is left gaping and wide eyed. Inuyasha, it was really Inuyasha in the flesh. How was that possible?

"Inuyasha!" Kagome called to him he just turned to her.

"Hey, Kagome."

She rushed him and gave him a hug. "Come on no mushy stuff, we ain't got time for this. We got a demon to defeat. LOOK OUT!"

He grabbed Kagome by the waist and leaped out of the way right before Smaug snapped his mouth shut on both of them.

"Right, time to get to work. Inuyasha you don't have to do anything just, keep me away from him. I have everything I need." Kagome tells Inuyasha. Inuyasha nods.

Kagome climbs onto his as she had done before. And Inuyasha began to leap from one side of the room to the other, never letting the dragon spirit get a good bead on them.

In the meantime Kagome was throw the sutras that Miroku had given her at Smaug and was slowly binding him into place, he was so intent on catching them that he hadn't noticed that his movement where getting more and more restricted. Until finally Kagome struck him in the head with the last sutra. With that, Inuyasha and Kagome landed in front of the Dragon spirit. Smaug gave a evil grin and lunged for them only to lose his balance and fall foward. Kagome got off Inuyasha and drew her bow. She had a determine look on her face.

"You vile worm! You destroyed a Dwarf Kingdom out of greed and a neighboring city for fun. Then when the Dwarves try to reclaim their homeland you take your anger and vengeance on a poor defenseless town. And the worst crime of all, you try to take MY love away from me, you deserve to die a slow agonizing death, but I can't do that. That would make me no better than you." With that, Kagome shot him between the eyes and he was purified.

Kagome looked at Inuyasha, and ran into his arm. "How did you get here? Oh tell me later I have to check on Thorin." She dashed out of the treasury, with Inuyasha hot on her heels.

"Thorin who's Thorin?" Inuyasha asked.

"He's the love of my life and my fiancé." Kagome said, as she began sprinting down the hall to Thorin's chambers.

When she got to Thorin's door she pushed it open but Dwalin and Dori would not let Inuyasha pass. "Just wait for me her Yasha, I'll be right back."

Inuyasha kept trying to get passed until finally he drew his sword threatening Dwalin and Dori.

"INUYASHA SIT!" Inuyasha came crashing to the floor nearly knocking him unconscious.

Dwalin helped him up. "Maybe next time you will listen to her, Inuyasha." He said while dusting him off. "Now you just sit there and tell us a little about yourself. We may be here a while."