Hey, here I am with Chapter 26!!!! I hope you guys like it and I'm so sorry it took so long! I've been busy and ya know, well' Read, Enjoy, and REVIEW!!! Disclaimer: Me no own, you no sue, we all happy then, the end!

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Chapter Twenty-Six: Sakura, Kinjya, and Anna

Kagome opened her eyes, closing them once more as the harsh brilliance of the suns light shone on her, the veil of unconsciousness finally lifting after nearly a day. Her eyes fluttered open once more, and she glanced to her right, seeing Inuyasha lying beside her, one hand pillowing his head while the other was clasped around the hilt of the Tetsusaiga. She sat up, using her hands to keep her steady. "Inuyasha?" His inu ears flicked toward her but otherwise he didn't move. "Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kirara, Ares?" she called, turning she found Shippo, Sango and Miroku; Sango laying against a tree seemingly sleeping and Shippo curled into a ball upon her lap, while Miroku laid before the fire; yet something was amiss; the flames didn't move, the wind didn't blow, no birds sang; all was still and silent. She slowly stood, her knees feeling a bit shaky but otherwise fine. She took a few steps forward, around Inuyasha's still form, her eyes scanning the woods around her.

"Who are you?" she called into the woods, feeling a power radiate from within its shadowed depths. "I am I." came the soft, crystal pure voice from the depths of the wood around her, sounding as though it came from every direction. Kagome's power flared; a wave of pink light encircling her body like a flame around a log. "I won't harm you; I haven't harmed you yet, Kagome." "Sakura, it's you, isn't it?" "Yes...but I need to tell you something." The figure, or Sakura as she dubbed herself, stepped out from the brush, not far from where Kagome had been looking, clad in her usual robes but only this time they were black and her head was covered by a sheer black veil.

Kagome narrowed her eyes; she could swear that she was seeing light or power, whatever it was, in the shape of wings sprouting from Sakura's back; it looked like a misty outline of silver wings. "Listen, I'm really here, this isn't a dream. You must meet me by the stream three miles from camp tonight when the full moon rises for the first time in this cycle." She said, looking up, her voice holding a hint of pleading.

"Why, what do you want from me?" Kagome asked. "I want to help you, that's all." "Why aren't my friends moving?!" Kagome shouted, clenching her fists. "I put a spell on them, nothing will move until we're done talking. You needn't worry, they're fine." "What the hell are you?" she whispered, backing up slightly. A sad smile crossed Sakura's cherry lips, unseen by Kagome because of the veil. "I'm not sure anymore." She whispered. "What?" Sakura shook her head, turning and making her way into the woods. "Lay down, your legs will give out soon." Was all she said as she disappeared. Kagome's gentle blue eyes darkened in confusion as she lay back down, closing her eyes with a sigh as the wind once again began to blow, the birds chirping sweetly, and the sounds of the forest filling her ears. She opened her eyes again, turning her head to watch the sleeping Inuyasha as his ears flicked back and forth, catching every sound.

Inside Kagome's mind was in state of mass turmoil. So much had happened, and a lot of it seemed almost a blur. She knew she had more power within herself but she didn't know what would happen because of it. The power, no, her power was strong but it was also wild, she couldn't fully control it. She'd never really controlled it that well, she'd fire and arrow and it wouldn't take anything for her to purify it, it was as though it was an instinct had taken care of it, she'd unconsciously did it the first few times she had fired a purified arrow. Now she knew what she was doing and she knew how to make the amount of power vary for each shot, depending on the youkai she was aiming for.

Her physical strength was increasing thanks to Ares. Even in a short amount of time she was learning how to protect herself and she could even attack someone while using her miko powers. She could punch a demon and use her power to purify her hand, so that when her fist connected with flesh it would destroy an enemy. She almost jumped when she heard Inuyasha sit up and let loose a huge yawn, and she almost smiled when she heard his stomach growl loudly.

"Kagome?" he whispered, tracing her cheek with his hand, mindful of his claws. "I'm ok Inuyahsa." She felt Inuyasha jump, shocked that she was awake. "Kagome!" his joyful cry sounded broken by tears. She opened her eyes, seeing the tears in his eyes, his colder expression gone, only relief that his mate was ok showing. She sat up, reaching for him and he drew her to him, holding her close, letting the tears fall, almost sobbing against her neck. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.." he chanted against her neck, his tears making her skin sticky and wet.

She saw Shippo start to make his way over but Miroku stopped him, he and Sango walking off, Sango casting a loving smile at the two and Kagome wrapped her arms around her beloved inu hanyou as he gently kissed her neck, still crying softly. "There's nothing to be sorry for you silly puppy." She whispered, running her fingers through his hair, smiling softly as he held her tighter still crying, feeling his hot tears on her neck made her realize just how much she really did love her mate. "Inuyasha, it's ok." This time she pushed him back so she could look into his eyes. She smiled again, kissing away his tears. "Kagome, I'm so-" "There's nothing to be sorry about, and I'm suppose to be the one crying." She said, cutting him off. He smiled, pulling her close and kissing her lips with such gentleness she almost wondered if their lips had even touched.

They got up, Kagome grabbing her bathing stuff and calling for Sango. The two girls went for a bath, the boys sitting around, Shippo in Inuyasha's lap and Miroku leaning against a tree stump nearby. "Hey, papa, where's Ares and Kirara?" Shippo asked, suddenly noticing their missing companions. "Right here." Ares said, walking out of the woods, Kirara in her small for upon her shoulder.

"Where were you two?" Miroku asked, while Inuyasha rubbed Shippo's back. "I went to see if there was a village nearby and to find some fruit, and Kirara followed me." Kirara jumped down, and settled herself before Miroku, while Ares dropped a sack of fruit by Kagome's bag, then made her way to small lukewarm springs where Kagome and Sango were bathing.

"Feeling better now Kagome-chan?" Kagome and Sango jumped, laughing at themselves for letting Ares startle them. "Yeah, I'm fine." She replied as Ares undressed, then slid into the lukewarm water, grabbing a cloth and washing her body swiftly, as though trying to clean something off of her. "Ares, you're bleeding!" Sango cried, pointing to the girl's right shoulder from which blood dripped down in tiny broken rivulets from a small gash. "What happened?" Kagome asked, reaching out to touch her shoulder. Ares jerked back, her hand clamping over the small wound. "Nothing." She lied, grabbing the fallen cloth from the water and putting it over her wound, almost wincing at the stinging sensation that shot through the wound. Sango frowned, her soft dark pink lips forming a small frown.

"Well, I'm going to go back now." Sango said, pulling herself out of the water, grabbing her clothes and dressing after drying off with the fluffy pink towel Kagome had brought for her. Kagome looked at Ares, confusion written on her face as she turned to watch Sango's retreating form. "You should go soon too, I'm sure Shippo wants to see you." Kagome nodded, dipping under the water then getting out, shivering as the chill of the night began to attack her warm flesh.

When Ares was sure she had left she turned to the woods, her violet eyes skimming the trees. "At least let me get dressed without you two peeking." She called, and it was met by two chuckles and two soft voices saying, "Alright." Ares smirked, jumping out and turning her back to the woods as she grabbed her towel, her long hair covering her body as she kneeled down. After securing the towel she turned, sitting down on a rock, watching as the tree leaves rustled and out came two female wolf youkai. "Kinjya, Anna, how are you?" she asked, playing with a stand of her damp hair as the girls smiled at her, their eyes quickly skimming her body as though checking for something.

"You really should report more often, you've had us worried." The girl named Kinjya said, her deep yet smooth seductive voice making Ares smile as she leaned back against the rock. "Reisho's been close to having fits over you." Anna said, sitting down beside Ares, looking up at her with deep purple eyes that seemed to threaten to draw anyone who looked closely into a world of endless depths of compassion to drown in. Anna's voice was like the tinkling of bells, smooth and pure, soft and light.

Kinjya growled suddenly, standing, her eyes scanning the trees, her ears straining to pick up any sound. "We need to go." Kinjya's black dress made a small "swishing" sound as she moved towards the woods, her blond hair that was streaked black slid partly over her shoulder, the rest held up by a black and silver jeweled clip. "Keep in touch; we'll be ready when you have need of us." Anna said, following the sounds Kinjya's heeled boots slapping the ground as she began to run. With a flash of silver, red, and white; Anna was gone, Ares catching a glimpse of her silver cloak and red and white battle armor through the trees before she too took off running. With a small, yet silly huff Ares dressed and headed back to camp.

"So Kinjya, do you think she'll be ok?" Kinjya cast a bored glance at Anna. "She'll be fine, but just in case, we'll be here." Anna nodded, locking eyes with her life long friend, the dark blue eyes and pale skin a comforting sight to her. "Let's rest, they wont move out tonight." Anna said, plopping down on the grown, leaning against a large tree, using its shade to lessen the heat of the day. Kinjya smiled wryly at her friend then settled down, waiting for the full moon to arise, and the night's task to begin. !~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~ Email: FadingMoonDragon@aol.com OR Sicho_no_miko@yahoo.com

Special Thanks: Angel452, sakura chan 5000, Kayasha, Kagome-Sama0560, Sunbeam1, tina, godzylla3, lil-demon-nightmare, Nomoremeat, kogathewolfdemon1, and everyone else who's reviewed!

C's & A's: Angel452:She used a lot of power so it drained her energy making her faint from the lack of it, and the other part was answered in the chapter above./ sakura chan 5000: Sorry it took so long and I am kinda but I had writers block; I SWEAR I'M CURSED!/ Kayasha: Thanks for the complements, I hope you enjoy the story till the end. To me, Sango and Miroku are a hard couple to deal with, but I'll try with a lemon or at least a bit of lime-ness soon, k? / Kagome-Sama0560: lol, you're welcome and I'm glad you feel that way! / Sunbeam1: She's the main character, I aint gonna kill her, promise! / tina: Thank you! / godzylla3: Thanks and I hope you like it till the end! / lil-demon-nightmare: Thanks, and I'll try to hurry! / Nomoremeat: Thanks for the complements. It's Queen; I'm a girl. And..I know my fight scenes suck, I berate myself for it constantly. / kogathewolfdemon1: Goodie!

Note: I spoke with a friend and they thought that since my pen-name is Suaru-chan that the Suaru in the fic, Sesshoumaru's mate, is me. IT ISN'T! I just use Suaru-chan because I love the name, but no, we're not the same person. Sorry if that bothered or confused anyone! ~Fic Info: I don't own Sae or Lia! They belong to AngelofDaimonds! However, Ares, Suaru, Rath, Kinjya (in this fic is my friend Koga but also a char so ask her before you use it..kogathewolfdemon1), Anna (is also a friend of mine; Kagome-Sama0560), and a few others that will show up later belong to me! Ask me first if you want to use any of my characters, and ask AngelofDaimonds before you use any of hers and my other friends if you want to use any of theirs!

*~* Translations*~* Koi - Love (Koibito - Lover) ::: Koishii - Beloved ::: Oniisan - Big brother ::: Miko - Priestess ::: Youkai - demon ::: Kitsune - fox ::: Ai shiteru - I love you :: Kami - God ::: Nani - what ::: Gomen - Sorry ::: Arigato - Thank you ::: Kawaii - cute ::: Kowaii- Scary ::: Nee- chan: Big sister::: Taijiya - youkai exterminator ::: Houshi - priest/monk ::: hentai - pervert :: ako - my child ::: domo - thanks ::: Kaze no Kizu - wound of the wind (I think) :: Sore wa himitsu desu - It's a secret ::: Reisho - Thunder ~(That's all for now) ~!!~

Jade: Thanks for reading!

Anna: *huggles Jade* I'm in the fic!

Kinjya: *huggles Jade too* I'm in the fic too!

Jade: O. Yes, you're in the fic, now, get off, I can't breathe!

Anna: Oops!

Kinjya: Sorry!

Jade: It's *deep breath* Ok. Now, please Review! Ja! ^.^