Chapter 25- Mirrors are meant to be broken

"I may be a monster… and I may be doomed to remain that way for the rest of my life… but I know that I'll regret it if Kagome doesn't know how I feel before it's too late. Even if she doesn't love me in return, I want her to know that I love her. To be trapped with the curse, or be free of it… Monster or not, I don't care anymore… but I made a promise…"

He took a deep breath and cried out at the top of his lungs, "I VOWED TO PROTECT YOU KAGOME!"

He turned and ran from the rushing water and towards the darkness of the forest. All the while, whispering to himself, "I'll protect you with my life."

*Flashback*

"In that case, I'll protect you with my life."

"Inuyasha…" She cut her voice off when the look in his eyes shifted. They no longer looked stern or cold. Only kind, sincere and… loving.

*End of Flashback*

There was no way that he was going back on his word now. He went racing on through the woods, trying to track Kagome's scent.

*Ayame*

Ayame was jumping through the trees, separated from the others and not having any luck at all. She looked up at the sky to see a blood-red sunrise… she didn't like this. Red in the morning… sailors take warning… there was going to be a storm tonight. Appropriate… if they can't break the curse by midnight tonight, then they were going to going to be in for a rough ride.

She was standing on a tree branch over-looking the village and was about to turn around and go back to the others when she noticed someone lying in the field. Gasping, she leapt down from the tree and ran over to the motionless figure in the grass… it was a wolf demon.

And a very handsome wolf demon at that. She bent down and turned him over onto his backside as she stared at his face. She tore the helm of her kimono off and began to wipe the sweat from his face; at her touch however, he stirred.

The wolf demon looked up at her with large blue eyes… Ayame felt her heart melt as she saw the blush come into his cheeks.

"Hi…" she said softly. "My name's Ayame."

The wolf demon blinked several times before he managed to stutter, "I-I-I'm K-Koga."

*Koga*

Koga felt stiff and sore all over his body. What the hell just happened? The last thing he remembered was Hojo… wait… who was that touching him?

He could feel someone gently turn him over onto his back and then someone dabbing his forehead with a cloth. His eyes snapped open… to see an angel standing over him.

It was a young wolf demon dressed in white fur, with red hair tied back in twin pigtails. He felt an unfamiliar blush rush into his face when he looked at her. The woman gave him a small smile and said softly, "Hi… My name's Ayame."

Koga blinked several times before he realized that she was talking to him. "I-I-I'm K-Koga."

*Around Noon. Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Inuyasha had all gathered around each other in the forest*

"Naraku couldn't have gotten too far with Kagome," said Miroku soothing to a still panicking Inuyasha. "I'm sure that she's still alive! If he wanted to take her powers right away, he would've taken them when he first found her. He must have her hidden away somewhere when he knocked her out and is waiting later to finish her off."

"Oh, yeah!" Inuyasha barked in annoyance, fear, and sarcasm. "That makes me feel SOOO much better."

"Do you think you can talk about Kagome's impending death a little less casually?" demanded Sango of Miroku in a terrified tone.

"Just who is this Naraku anyway?" demanded Shippo. "What is he going to do with Kagome?"

Miroku was the one who answered him, "I've heard stories about Naraku. I don't know how much of it is true… but from what I've heard… Naraku steals the powers of others by devouring them."

Sango and the booys paled at his words.

"Devouring them?" repeated Shippo petrified. "Miroku… do you think Kagome's been…"

"No way. Kagome's a lot tougher than you think. She's not going to let herself get eaten that easily," said Miroku calmly.

But his words didn't seem to calm Shippo down… instead he seemed even more worried. Tears beginning to form in his eyes he cried out, "Oh, this is all my fault. She's probably being eaten alive as we speak. I've shouldn't have left her behind!"

"Shippo!" Sango said hurriedly, giving Miroku a dark look. "I don't think it's too late."

"Well then what are we waiting for?" Shippo yelled. "If it's not too much trouble… can we continue the search? We might be able to get to Kagome before Naraku gets hungry."

"What's the rush? She's not going to let Naraku eat her without a fight?" said Miroku without thinking and earning himself more murderous glances from Sango and Inuyasha.

"Oh she'll come back and haunt me for this. I heard the legends and I know how it works!" Shippo screamed as he went running through the trees. "Shippo!" Sango cried after him.

Inuyasha gave Miroku a quick, hard punch on the head as Sango said, "If we live pass this… you, you, you…! What's the word I'm looking' for?"

"Idiot?" Miroku offered helpfully as he rubbed his sore head.

"Thank you Miroku," said Sango as she also gave Miroku a hard hit to the head. Then Sango turned to Inuyasha and yelled at the top of his lungs, "This is all your fault! All because you're too stubborn to tell her how you feel! If you had told her the truth then we wouldn't be in this mess! You've doomed, not only us, but Kagome!"

Her words hurt Inuyasha even more than if she had started punching him. Inuyasha hung his head and clenched his fists so tightly that he could feel more blood dripping down his fingers. Thankfully, Miroku put his hand on her shoulder, and said, "Listen my dear Sango. I understand you're upset about Kagome, but I'm sure that Inuyasha did what he thought was best for Kagome. I'm sure that if he knew that Naraku was out there, he never would've let her out of his sight. Don't worry. I know that we're going to find her. But we won't be able to save her if we're standing around here blaming each other."

Sango glared at him before the rage left her and she began to calm down. She took several deep breathes before she said, "Yes… yes you're right Miroku. It was no one's fault but Naraku's and I know that we're going to get her back."

Kagome turned and walked out of out of sight, but before she did, she called out, "And I'm not your 'dear' anything!"

Miroku gave a goofy grin as he sighed longingly. "Keep kissing those frogs Sango…" he said dreamily, "Your prince will wait forever if he has too." He turned and began to walk through the trees in the opposite direction before he called to Inuyasha, "Are you coming, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha sighed heavily, 'I know that it's all my fault that Kagome's in such danger… but I promise that I'm going to save her even if it kills me,' he thought before following Miroku, "Alright, just don't get in the way."

"Don't worry pal, I know that she's alive," Miroku said confidently.

"Yes," said Inuyasha a little desperately. "But how do you know? I mean… what if we find Naraku and…" he trailed off, not being able to finish what he his worst fear was right now.

Miroku put his hand on Inuyasha's shoulder and said, "You, of all people, should be able to tell if Kagome's alive or not. What does your heart tell you?"

Inuyasha stared at him as if he had lost his mind. His heart? He had a heart? That was when he felt this sudden warmth from somewhere inside him telling him that Kagome's own heart was still beating. Was this his heart?

"She's alive…" he croaked more to himself than to Miroku. "Yes, I know that she's alive."

Miroku slapped him on the back and said, "See? You do have a heart down there somewhere. You just needed the right motivation to realize it. Now last I checked we were…" but before he had a chance to finish his sentence, demons suddenly appeared.

Ayame was there… but standing next to her was another tall, male wolf demon. He glanced at Inuyasha with distaste before he said, "Yo."

"Who the hell are you?" demanded Inuyasha. 'Oh, I didn't have time for this! I'm supposed to be looking for Kagome! Not dealing with this pathetic little wolf cub.'

"The name's Koga," the wolf said. "And I'm here to help you find Kagome."

Both Inuyasha and Miroku stared at him in amazement. "How did…" began Miroku.

"Cause I was there when Kagome was attacked by that fake Hojo," said Koga.

"Hojo?" demanded Inuyasha.

Ayame stepped forward and said, "I found Koga unconscious, and he told me everything. Apparently, he had been trying to win Kagome's heart for years."

Inuyasha felt a deep rage beginning to overtake his senses. This wolf was trying to take HIS Kagome away? He was so angry that he was ready to rip out Koga's throat. "You were there when she was attacked? Why didn't you help her?" Inuyasha demanded, feeling better at the idea of blaming someone else.

"Why weren't you there?" demanded Koga with an angry glare.

That shut Inuyasha up.

Ayame stood between them in case they attacked each other at any moment and said, "Look! It doesn't matter whose fault it was! All that matters is that we have a way to find Kagome!"

"WHAT?" screamed Inuyasha, hope filling the empty space that was inside him.

"Ayame told me what's been going on," said Koga. "She said that Kagome's been living with you guys for the last few months and that you guys are under a curse. She also said that a demon by the name of Naraku was the one who kidnapped her. Well, Naraku was using the disguise of a human by the name of Hojo to get to her. By the time I realized that Hojo was a demon, he hit me with some kind of energy blast… the next thing I know is… Ayame by my side…" he started to blush red along with Ayame.

"I don't want to hear about your personal history!" screamed Inuyasha truly annoyed now. "I just want you to tell me where the hell Kagome is! You better say something if you want to keep your lungs where they are!"

"Whoa… I'm so scared," said Koga sarcastically. "Not! Man are you one serious guy. You need to learn to lighten up once in a while."

"I'll lighten up once I find that no good demon Naraku!" Inuyasha screamed, "Now if you aren't going to tell me where she is then I'm gonna…"

"Well I don't know for sure but I have a pretty good idea where she is," Koga interrupted him. He turned and pointed through the trees. "Up north from here, is an abandoned castle. I heard rumors that it was filled with demons and they were protecting some kind of a castle for a powerful demon. I'm not promising anything… but if I had to guess… then Naraku was the demon that I heard of and they'll be there."

"Okay, what are we waiting for?" Inuyasha yelled as he took off in the direction that Koga pointed. He wasn't sure why he was doing what this wolf was telling him to, but right now it was his only lead to find Kagome. If he could find her… he would swallow his pride just this once. As he went running off, Miroku asked Koga, "Koga… why are you helping us? If you've been trying to win Kagome's heart… then why not go there and save her yourself?"

Koga merely turned away. "Let's just say that I met someone a little while ago who said that me and Kagome weren't meant to be together… I now see that she was right. But if dog boy wants Kagome… then he better hurry." He looked up at the afternoon sky before continuing, "You guys are running out of time real fast."

Ayame then spoke up and said, "We'll find Sango and Shippo and let them know whats going on. You better follow Inuyasha. Something tells me that he's going to be needing all the help he can get."

Miroku nodded once in agreement and went striking after him.

*Not long later*

Koga and Ayame found Sango and Shippo. It only took a few minutes to tell them what was going on and that they had to go after Inuyasha and Miroku.

"What about you two?" asked Shippo.

""I'm worried about Kohaku and Rin. They must be wondering what's happened to us by now," answered Ayame.

Koga merely grunted and said to Sango, "Get going girl."

Sango on the other hand did not like being told what to do by this wolf and barked, "You can't tell me what to do!"

"Okay then you won't be able to see Kagome again," said Koga smugly.

Sango opened her mouth, shut it again, before saying in a grudging voice, "You really know how to get to me, don't you?"

Koga smirked, "I know a thing or two about girls."

"What's that mean?" demanded Ayame.

Normally, Sango would've loved nothing more than to stand here and watch someone as arrogant as this Koga get chewed out by the female species. But there would be time for that later. "Let's go!" she cried to Shippo and they were north, leaving the tow wolves to fight behind them.

*Naraku*

Deep in the mountains, there was a castle that humans had abandoned many years ago. Naraku discovered it, and made it his home. The entire castle practically screamed 'haunted' and was swarming with hundreds of demons. "Yes," said Naraku with a slight chuckle. "Go and devour any who try to reach this place."

The demons didn't need to be told twice. They left, heading down the mountain, their mouths drooling at the thought of being able to devour fresh meat. Naraku wasn't worried about Inuyasha reaching him. No, he was more curious than anything else. He wanted to see just how far that Inuyasha would go to reach the woman that could break the curse.

Naraku smiled at his prize. Kagome's wrists were being held by thick chains which were held by a single metal ring at the wall. "At last, I have all this power to myself." He calmly walked over to her, where she looked up at him in disgust.

"If you're going to kill me…" she hissed menacingly, "Then just get it over with already!"

Naraku chuckled again. "I was planning too. But in order to get what I want from Inuyasha, I need live bait. Don't worry… I will kill you soon. But if you're already dead by the time that Inuyasha arrives… then he'll be less willing to listen don't you think?"

Kagome gasped as she fought against the chain, "What do you want?" she demanded. "What are you planning to do to Inuyasha?"

Naraku turned and took a few steps away from her before saying as calmly as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "I'm going to kill him of course." He then walked away, with a giant smirk on his face when he saw the look of horror on Kagome's.

"I will devour you and your powers… but in the meantime…" said Naraku slowly. At that moment, he flew over to her, until he stood right above her. A slimly, filthy tentacle came out from underneath his baboon pelt and wrapped around Kagome's neck, lifting her up into the air.

"Don't worry," said Naraku with a grin as Kagome fought for breath. "I'm just borrowing some of your powers. Once I get what I want from Inuyasha, I'll finish you off."

Kagome felt as if all of her energy was being sucked out of her body and she felt darkness covering her eyes. "You won't get away with this," she croaked out as she felt weaker with every passing second. "Inuyasha will… he will…"

Naraku dropped her and she slumped against the wall in defeat and exhausted.

"Inuyasha will what? I'm afraid that he won't dare do anything… after all… I have the one thing that he loves more than his own life. As long as I have you… then he won't dare do anything that would put you in danger."

*Inuyasha*

An hour or so later, after Sango and Shippo were finally able to catch up to the boys, they all found themselves at the foot of the mountain.

"Doesn't look too tough," said Shippo as he took a step forward but just then, they all heard the sound of buzzing. Shippo let out a cry of terror as he held on to Miroku's leg in a death grip. "Um did you guys hear that or was that just me?"

"Yes I heard it," said Mirokou as he looked around him. "Naraku must've summoned 'them'."

"Summoned what?" asked Sango, standing next to Miroku.

"I'm pretty sure 'they'll' clear it all up for you, Sango," Inuyasha said pointing up the mountain. They all watched as an entire army of demons came streaking down the mountain towards them, lead by a swarm of giant insects with red eyes and stingers.

Shippo quivered in fright and disgust before he stuttered, "W-w-w-what a-a-re-are t-those?"

"Poisonous insects from hell," Miroku explained. "The Saimyoushou."

"Shippo, head for safety," Miroku said to the red head as he went charging forward.

"You ain't gotta tell me twice," Shippo said as he went and hid behind some giant rocks.

The army of bugs and demons encircled Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango. Inuyasha smirked showing his fangs, "You guys know what we have to do?"

The other two nodded before they chorused, "Of course." Unfortunately, for the demons, they picked the wrong day to mess with Inuyasha. He went up the mountain, his demon blood roaring in joy at the sight of killing all the other demons. Inuyasha's mind on the other hand was still clear, for the only thing that he was going through his head was to tear Naraku limb from limb, and to see Kagome again.

'Just one more time!' he thought as he sliced off another random demon's head. 'I just want to see her one more time! To tell her how I feel. I don't care if I die! I just want to get her out of there and to tell her that I love her. I don't care if she doesn't feel the same towards me! I just want to tell her!'

Thanks to Inuyasha, the gang had arrived at the castle in no time and they were standing just outside the gate. Inuyasha glanced around him, he took a deep breath… and he found it. He found Kagome's scent! She really was here!

"Kagome is definitely here," he said to the others. "I know it."

"And so is Naraku," said Miroku. "But I sense that his power has increased somewhat… I can't tell why."

"Who cares? He has Kagome. That's all that matters," Inuyasha stated as he ran in with Sango and Miroku following after him and Shippo on his shoulder.

*Naraku*

As Naraku was awaiting a good report, one of his Saimyoushou appeared. "I see…" said Naraku coldly. "Inuyasha is even more determine to get his girl back than I would've guessed. The demons didn't stand a chance against him in his demon state. I guess if you want something done right, do it yourself."

*Inuyasha*

"Hey Inuyasha, how much further till we find Kagome?" Sango asked as they kept running.

"We're almost there; she's close now," said Inuyasha said, running through a courtyard. As they were running, Inuyasha picked up Kagome's scent again, closer than ever before.

"Hey guys, look over there!" Sango said pointing to one side of the courtyard.

Inuyasha, Shippo, and Miroku turned to where Sango was pointing and saw Kagome hanging by her wrists in chains with her eyes closed. "Kagome!" Inuyasha cried as he ran over to her with the others following him.

Inuyasha was the first one to reach her, "Kagome… Kagome, c'mon please wake up!" he cried as he shook her, but she didn't reply, she didn't even move. Inuyasha turned to Miroku and pleaded, "Is she okay? What's wrong with her?"

Miroku came over and put his fingers over Kagome's neck to check her pulse. "She's alright Inuyasha; she's just unconscious," Miroku informed them. Inuyasha and the others let out a sigh of relief.

"Good she's safe," said Inuyasha feeling himself filling with happiness to know that Kagome was alright.

"Oh, she's alive alright," said a malevolent voice behind them. "But she's far from safe."

They all spun around to stare at the one who had caused all of this… A demon dressed in the skin of a white baboon…

Shippo let out a scream of terror as he jumped to Inuyasha's shoulder yelling and pointing, "That's him! He's Naraku!"

Inuyasha nodded, "Yeah. And right now… HE'S DEAD!"

"Oh please Inuyasha," said Naraku shaking his head as if disappointed. If you were capable of doing that, you wouldn't have let that human get kidnapped."

The crimson eyed Inuyasha could feel his rage rise as Sango stepped in, "Look, I don't give a damn who you think you are buddy, but you better let my friend go right now or else."

Miroku stepped in as well, "Listen Naraku, why don't you deal with me now? Kagome isn't your concern; now let's get on with your demise."

Naraku then said, "My demise? Please… you can't even save yourselves… what makes you think you can save your friend?"

And without warning… Naraku sent an energy blast towards Miroku who didn't move away in time and was thrown up against the wall. He slid down the wall with blood dripping down the side of his face; unconscious.

"MIROKU!" screamed Sango as she ran over to him.

"DAMN YOU!" screamed Inuyasha in pure fury at Naraku. "DAMN YOU TO HELL!"

"Well Inuyasha, if you want to save your friends, then come at me. But let's raise the steaks, shall we?" the demon offered.

"Don't test me, Naraku; I'm not in the mood," snarled Inuyasha in fury. "Just let the others go and fight with me!"

"Relax Inuyasha; it's just a friendly wager," said Naraku in a pleasant voice.

"Inuyasha," hissed Shippo in his ear. "He's just trying to make you mad."

"Don't worry," Inuyasha hissed back. "I'm not going to go all demon if that's what you're worried about."

"Worried?" repeated Shippo. "No, I'm hoping for it!"

Inuyasha chose to ignore him. "What is it?" he demanded from Naraku.

"That's the spirit!" said Naraku. "If you by some miracle defeat me then I'll be more than happy to let Kagome and the rest of your friends go."

"What do you want if you win?" Sango asked.

"Well I keep Kagome's powers… and the rest of you here…" Naraku said pointing to each one of them in turn before saying, "Will all be doomed to live the rest of your lives in misery knowing that you can never become human again."

"Over my dead body," Inuyasha screamed his anger rising too high now.

"Inuyasha calm down!" Sango screamed.

"So what will it be Inuyasha?" Naraku asked with that disgusting smile that made Inuyasha longed to rip off. "Would you still like to fight me? Or will you risk losing the one you love for good? What will it be?"

"Inuyasha! Sango hissed to Inuyasha in a panic. "You can't go through with this!" Sango said as she held an unconscious Miroku in her arms.

Inuyasha turned to look at her and said, "I don't want to Sango, but if it's to save Kagome then I will. I promised I'd always do anything for her and I'm not going back on my word."

He took a few steps towards Naraku and said, "I don't care if I'm going to remain this way forever. I don't care anymore if everytime I look in the mirror... I see myself like this. I know now... some mirrors are meant to be broken."

Time is almost up! Just a few hours left! Inuyasha must now fight Naraku who had Kagome' powers! And if he loses… then they'll be doomed forever… Inuyasha hurry please!

Review Please!

Preview:

Inuyasha was left barely standing, heavily breathing, "My time is up…" Then Inuyasha's exhausted body became heavy and his vision became blurry as he fell to his knees, "For you Kagome; I'm sorry I broke my word but it was the only way to…" Inuyasha fell to the ground lying as if he were dead.

Chapter Names:

In your eyes I am beautiful

Love like this is a miracle

'Cause you saw me when I was invisible

You see me in a way that no one else ever had

Lie Still My Love