From Chapter 25…
Kagura went back to her seat, whipped the tears from her eyes, and smiled at Kagome. "The heart is hidden somewhere you all have been before. There are special barriers around it. It was hidden in such a spot that would be profane to all. You will need major magic to get past the barriers. The location of the heart is…"
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"The location of the heart is in the shrine to Midoriko and her battle with the youkai that created the Shikon no Tama. It is in the cave of her tomb."
All around the table sat in stunned silence. They could not believe that Naraku had desecrated such a site. The heart was in the village of the demon slayers the entire time! Sango had been back more times than she could count!
Sesshoumaru looked to Kagome, "Well, mate, your miko powers may be able to break through the barrier around the tomb, but more likely, you will have to use the power of the red Tessuiga to get through."
Kagura interrupted. "Lady Kagome can wield the Tessuiga? Naraku did not know this, he probably still does not know. This may prove to be a very good advantage!"
Kagome was wary of this plan. She had never used the red Tessuiga before, and did not know if she was up to this challenge. Kagura interrupted her thoughts again.
"It is likely that Hakudoshi now guards the heart. It may also have been moved, once Naraku knew that Kanna and I would not be returning. We should leave immediately, to catch them before it is moved!"
"You forget, Kagura, you are not going." Sesshoumaru stated.
"But you might need me!" Kagura cried out. "I know how devious Naraku is, I know other places he might place the heart!"
Lady Kagome spoke quietly, "Tell us, Kagura. Tell us so you may stay with your daughter."
Kagura thought about it. "He could move it to the fortress of the dead Urasuea, that would please him. He could also move it to the cave where Kikyou and Kaede treated him when he was still Onigumo. He may also move it to the desecrated grave of Kikyou. The one other place I could think of is…"
Lord Sesshoumaru looked at her, knowing she did not want to say. "Tell us."
"He could also move it to the shrine of your father, Lord Sesshoumaru. That would strike him as ironic. He has a very twisted mind, remember."
Sesshoumaru and Kagome stood up and thanked Kagura for her information. They used their demonic speed to go to the armory again. They were both dressed in their battle rainments. Kagome's new armor was ready. They strapped it onto her, and Sesshoumaru donned his as well. Kagome moved her dagger into her breastplate, and strapped Tessuiga to her side. She slug her bow and arrows to her back, and while she was doing it, Sesshoumaru strapped on Toukijin and Tenseiga. They were ready. They went back to the hallway where Miroku and Sango were housed. Both were ready for battle. Kirara was with them. Shippou and Rin were there too, but Sesshoumaru and Kagome asked them to remain at the castle in the care of Jakken. They tried to argue, but knew their parents were right. This was too dangerous for children.
They went to where Aun made it's nest and directed the two headed dragon to follow them, although Sesshoumaru and Kagome could actually fly on their own, this way offered them a chance to conserve energy, which was all in battle. Aun was loaded with Kagome's extra arrows and extra clothes for them all, including Kagome's trusty yellow bag, and they took to the air. Kirara kept up with the dragon, and they made their way to the village of the demon slayers. Kirara actually knew a faster way, since it was her home, and Aun followed. Sesshoumaru and Kagome used the few hours they had to cuddle each other and whisper words of love in each other's ears. The time and place did not matter, it was the quality of time which mattered to them. They made use of this reprieve. It could be their last. They knew it, and shared comfort with each other. It seemed that Sango and Miroku were doing the same. Sango leaned against Miroku, and he whispered in her ear, and held her tight. Even Kirara had a smile-like expression on her feline face. She was glad her mistress was happy, and no matter the reason, she was glad to be returning home.
When they touched down in front of the cave, they were met with a nasty sight, Hakudoshi with his glaive. He had a malicious glint in his eyes, and was spoiling for a fight. He grew tired of this waiting. He wanted to spill blood now. He knew the biggest threat, so he went after the miko taiyoukai first. She drew the Tessuiga, which surprised Hakudoshi, and willed it red, willed the sword to break any barrier. The sword turned red for her, and she swiped it at the point where Hakudoshi was. He was so shocked by this attack, he did not feel the energy whip from the western lord wrap itself around his neck. He tried to wield his glaive, but Kagome called out "Wind Scar!" and took him out with one strike. He not only was injured, he was being purified. He looked up at her with fear, knowing his death was imminent. He had the look only those who thought they were immortal can have when they feel death breathing down their neck.
"Tell us," Kagome said, her voice as cool as Sesshoumaru's, "Where is the heart?"
"It is…not here…you will…never find it…whore." With that, he died.
"Well," Sango said. "That was easier than we thought. After all the times we fought against the little brat, you brought him down quickly my Lord and Lady."
"Please, leave off the 'Lady' for me, Sango," Kagome said with a smile. "We know each other too well for that.
Sango smiled back. "We should check the entire cave and village, just to be sure."
They searched everywhere, Sesshoumaru searching for youki based barriers, and Kagome searching for anything based on spiritual or miko powers. They found nothing.
"Should we search the other areas Kagura mentioned?" Miroku wondered. "We know Naraku did not trust her. It is likely he gave her incorrect information."
"Assuming that could be an error, though," Sango added.
"We will search each place Kagura mentioned," Sesshoumaru stated. "She told us of this place, and Hakudoshi was actually here. Perhaps one of the other places actually holds the heart."
With that, he walked back to Aun with Kagome's hand in his. They climbed aboard the dragon while Sango and Miroku jumped aboard Kirara.
They spent the rest of the next two days searching, but came up empty handed, except for one tiny ally. Miyouga was still at the Great Dog Demon's shrine. He joined Lord Sesshoumaru, and the entire trip home, heard all about what had been going on, and how Kagome had become as she was, a miko taiyoukai, Lady of the Western Lands.
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The saimyoushou which had been hidden all around the places he knew Kagura would tell them about told him of Hakudoshi's death, along with the new Lady's ability to wield the Tessuiga. This enraged him, but he was happy that they had no idea where the heart was. It was right under their noses, but they would never find it. He decided to strike at them as they were traveling.
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A mile away from the enchantments of the western lands, the group was accosted by Naraku himself. They were unprepared for battle, but soon it was on. Kikyou was not with him, but he again tried to strike at Lady Kagome first. No one knew why she was the first target for Hakudoshi and now Naraku, but Lord Sesshoumaru would not let his mate be hurt. He stood in front of her, and took a hit from a tentacle that was aimed for her into his own body, and when he fell, Lady Kagome felt her anger rise, and with it, her version of the beast.
She used the red Tessuiga against him to break his barrier, then used the Wind Scar on him. It tore up his body, and began to purify him, but without his heart, his body healed, and he made his escape, happy that he had injured Lord Sesshoumaru, the most feared taiyoukai in Japan.
Kagome knelt beside her mate, her mark burning. Her miko powers came without her even summoning them. She erected the barrier around them, and her youkai powers and miko powers came without her even summoning them. She began to heal the terrible wound on his shoulder, and he began to heal. This weakened her, but gave him strength. He watched as her barrier fell, and caught her again.
He nuzzled her hair, smelling the special scent of her, hyachint and springtime, moonlight and wind, and told her softly, "If you want me to carry you, mate, you need not pass out, all you need do is ask. I would carry to the moon and back.
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A/N: Seriously guys, I don't know where the heart is either! Don't kill me! But I would love reviews, and answer each and every one! Thank you so much! I am so happy that this little story is so popular! It makes me so proud! I really don't know what happens until I write it, so I have no clue as to the end! See my newly added bio for information on how I feel about the end of stories!