Last of The Wilds Chapter 37: Naraku, an inuyasha fanfic

Word count: 10,718

Chapter 36/?

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha; this storyline is just a product of my over-active imagination.

Author Note: I apologize deeply for the delay in this chapter; I have only just finished writing it. I have no excuses for the lateness, please forgive me. For you, there is a nice juicy lime inserted!!! And lots of Sango action for those who requested, can you spot the secret written into this one?

Somewhere along the lines my chapter numbers have gone askew they ARE in the right order, just gotten the numbers flipped in places, sorry about that.

Chapter 36: Naraku's Insidious Plot.

Warm waters lapped upon bare flesh, the thrum of a steadily beating heart caused minute ripples in the water; that only eyes of a demon could see. Light relaxed breathing pushed more ripples into a simple dance, swaying to and fro. Thick tendrils of long luscious raven hair fanned out on the surface, waving like ink spilled on a watery surface. Kagome was indeed relaxed in a hot spring.

Inuyasha had set himself as Alpha of their rather unusual pack. Although he knew he was only a half-breed and Kagome, his once mighty guardian was a full daiyoukai, an Inu and his hated elder brother's mate, he refused to allow a female to set the standards. The monk and kitsune had followed aptly, keeping up with the arrogant young inu-hanyou.

It had taken a full week in which to find the taijia, Sango and even then, it was difficult to make the young woman understand that her services were required in their little group. Miroku, the hentai-ish monk had no qualms as he fully understood his role in the silencing of the jewel shards beside Kagome. Inuyasha just scoffed and stated that he needed no more 'troublesome females' within his shard hunting group, and that 'Sango, or whatever her name was, had no role to play' it was the first time Kagome had used the subjugation beads in a temper and wanting to instill some true alpha into the fray. Sufficed to say Inuyasha was not best pleased.

Looking over the calm heated waters Kagome sighed contentedly, thinking about their last encounter with the taijia, and wondering how to make her understand that she needed to join them.

Kagome walked the landscape in silence, her sapphire eyes darting all around, gleaming in the sunlight that filtered from the overhead canopy. Birds sang their songs of harmony and delight, rabbits played hi-tail, chasing each other through the thickets, knowing they were in no danger. Tree branches swayed with the rhythm of life, their bark scratching and trailing their own life heartbeat. It was serene, despite the fact that within one Inu Daiyoukai female, it was a raging torrent of emotion battling for supremacy within her broken heart.

It was through her own choice to separate herself from her father and Sesshoumaru. She had her own path to follow, one in which the constraints of a ruling Daiyoukai such as her mate could not walk beside her. She was owned in spirit by a miko; a Shikon miko at that. Kikyo had no problem with flexing that fact, reducing a Youkai of her stature to a mere quivering pup. She believed she had broken free, and to an extent she had, but Kikyo would always have a hold on her heart.

Twelve sunrises ago Kagome caught up with Inuyasha and the two of them set off in awkward silence searching for pieces of the fragmented Shikon jewel. Nine moons before, Miroku and Shippo had joined their small foray much to Kagome's chagrin, that Sesshoumaru merely used them as his bodyguards. Kagome was not dense enough when the two of them stated that it was their decision.

The sound of wind being split apart broke her concentration, the whir and eddy it created screamed in her subconscious that it was unnatural. The ear-splitting cry of a wounded demon only confirmed it further. Inuyasha's ears swiveled atop his flaxen head, his golden eyes searching for the unusual eddy. Clutching his tessuiaga tightly he ran off without warning. Kagome, Miroku and Shippo all stood tense for a moment wondering who or what could make such a stir, and needing to rein Inuyasha's temper was far more troublesome. Without needing anymore conscious thought about her actions, Kagome took off at a blinding run, following the sounds of battle, followed swiftly by Miroku and Shippo.

---

Twin brown orbs looked up into rich ruby eyes, eyes filled with anger and now pain. Their hair whipped about their frames like fabric on a wash pole caught in a violent gale. One clutched their weapon so tightly that knuckles were bone white with the strain. The other gripped their smaller weapon tightly, whilst turning to the elder. "Sister, this demon is more difficult than originally believed. I never knew a Kitsune held this much power" the young male spoke with such admiration and fear at their opponent, whilst shifting his bone scythe. Its chain rattled heavily, clinking in protests of yet another kill. The young slayer looked upon the village that hired his sister and himself, and then turned his wide innocent eyes to the raging beast across from them before gulping.

Sango lifted her weapon, the demon bone Hiriakotsu; swung it back over her shoulder, tensed and launched her weapon with a force to render incapacitation. The weapon connected with the Kitsune causing it to rear up and roars in frustration. Crimson blood flowed from a wound on its shoulder; the stark contrast of deep crimson against soft orange was alarming. The Hiriakotsu turned mid-air returning to its mistress, on the current that took it for another blow towards the shrieking kitsune. A blur of black and blue darted into the taijia's path a dull thud as the entity struck the demon bone from its trajectory, hurtling it away, landing it dully onto the earth at Sango's feet.

A young female was crouched before the taijia hissing, fangs exposed, claws gleaming in the afternoon light. Sango grabbed her brother by the shoulder, thrusting him behind her, out of the gaze of the irate Inu. "How dare you attack a Kitsune taijia!" she hissed angrily "Know you not the power of purity in a kitsune. They are humble Youkai, patrons of play in art, yet you lift your weapon to one?" Kagome allowed her gaze to follow to the taijia's younger brother peering from behind his elder sister. In that moment Inuyasha broke into the fray, his tessuaiga gleaming in the waning light that filtered through the trees. "Wench!" he accused as he pointed the tip at the taijia. Sango held fast as she looked at the same pair from before, the half-blood and the female daiyoukai.

Miroku and Shippo ran through the thicket last, casting their eyes over what they could see before them.

"If a kitsune is so pure and only a trickster, why does this kitsune destroy all in its path?" Sango snapped, as she gazed at the demons standing in her way of completing her job. Kagome and Inuyasha looked at the writhing demon, sporting a deep gash upon its shoulder. Eyes that were sapphire shone with a cerise tint in the light, searching the body of the kitsune. Upon its head a glow caught her eyes; soft, pink, and hummed a malevolent song "Jewel Shard" Kagome whispered lightly. Instantly Inuyasha perked up and turned his tessuaiga towards the kitsune.

"That's rich, you forbid us to kill the kitsune, yet you turn your weapon against it!" Sango accused glaring at Inuyasha with distain. "no-one is killing anything" Kagome answered, leveling Inuyasha with a glare that stated if he attempt, he would meet the ground in the most undignified manner, using those dreaded beads around his neck. He sheathed his sword as it sang its song, reverting its mighty form into a dull and tattered blade that looked as though it would create a sweat cutting paper parchment – wet.

"Sango I need you to listen and understand what I am going to tell you." Hearing the taijia huff in annoyance Kagome continued "Have you heard of the Shikon no tama? Also known as the jewel of four souls?" Turning her eyes towards the young woman, her stance told her that she indeed had. "I was Kikyo's Shirei when the cursed jewel came into her possession. It was my fault that the jewel shattered into who knows how many tiny fragments. These fragments are being manipulated by another. This evil creature is using the souls and wills of vile and evil entities to gain their personal goal; however sometimes purer creatures get caught in the sidelines. This Kitsune is merely trapped into obeying the one giving the orders"

The kitsune roared in annoyance, its master no doubt listening in to every word spoken. Angered over the fact a woman had understood and rooted out the direct predicament this Youkai was subject to. The kitsune bolted towards the two taijia, monk, hanyou and Youkai standing in its wake its lips lifted in a grimace that spoke of death and tremendous pain should any befall its huge teeth. Shippo instantly ducked out the way, as did Inuyasha and Miroku. Kagome instinctually bend her knees and bolted upwards above the deranged creature, the two taijia watched as the kitsune barreled towards them, death in its eyes. Sango stood her ground, her katana drawn, eyes sweeping longingly towards her favored weapon the Hiriakotsu that the daiyoukai female had knocked away. "Move out of the way!" Kagome yelled down to the young humans, however she was ignored.

The kitsune raised its huge talon gleaming paw, with razor sharp claws and swiped downwards. It was stopped suddenly as Kagome held it off from the two young humans with her hands. Feet dug deep into the ground Kagome held off the giant paw from touching the two taijia. However in her haste one of the closer claws was dug deep into her left shoulder. Miroku ushered the taijia away from the two Youkai that were now battle-locked. "Inuyasha, I need you to retrieve the shard without killing the kitsune" Kagome instructed holding off the weight that kept getting added against her, another claw getting unbearably close to her throat. "Feh" said hanyou answered "I would rather kill the damn thing".

Kagome's eyes narrowed in sheer annoyance, "Taijia; Sango will you remove the shard from the Kitsune without harming it?" Kagome watched in agonizing slow movements as the young woman thought over what Kagome had instilled upon her prior to being in this state, and that she was locked in battle with a kitsune in a rampage as she refused to move out of the way. Looking to her brother she asked him silently, Kohaku shrugged his shoulders, not really knowing what to do. It was the feel of Kirara around Sango's ankles and instantaneous transformation that made up her mind to do as she instructed.

"Where?" she asked, lifting her Hiriakotsu into battle play. Kagome pondered for a moment then answered "In its forehead, between the eyes. Its master placed it there to ensure the victim could not be saved, I know however that this Kitsune certainly can, and will be. I accept no innocent casualties. Sango leapt into action, watched closely by Inuyasha and Kohaku, Miroku and Shippo. Within moments the shard – albeit covered in blood was in Sango's palm and awaiting purification. The kitsune retracted its huge paw and claws from Kagome's shoulder, gave her a tentative sniff then disappeared.

Sighing slightly, Kagome approached the taijia. Sango instantly recoiled from the approaching daiyoukai and hauled her brother behind her from protection. "Please, I would never harm you or your brother. I just require the jewel shard" Sango gripped it tightly "why should I give it to you?" This time Miroku interjected "Kagome and I must cleanse the fragment of its evil aura, of the song it sings to call those whom wish to use it for evil purposes" Sango looked perplexed for a moment. "I can understand a monk such as yourself being given the task, but why her? She's a demon" Miroku smiled wholeheartedly "because the Lady Youkai was Shirei to a holy power, you know how Shirei are borne, her demon soul calms the evil, and where as my holy energy contains and purifies it. We work together and keep it in a safe state"

Reluctantly Sango handed the jewel shard to Miroku, and then watched as the monk approached Kagome, who was looking like she just wanted to sit down. The young daiyoukai clasped her hands around Miroku's and bent her head, adopting very much the same stance as he. Only their lips moved in a ghost of a sound, but Sango and her brother heard every word, hung on them, astounded. What further intrigued them, was they witnessed the language of a long dead race of Youkai

Edaf, edaf, yawa ot het retho dise. Demnconed louss kinsgee naip. Uoy anncot kreab su, uoy anncot lortcon. I het kaiuoy niadguar fo het namhu acer pemcol uoy. Drithaw ot het nekdarss, ot het lensic.

The jewel hummed a moment more, shone with intensity as Miroku finalized the chant, compelling it to remain dormant and still, then dulled to nothing more than a simple shard of glass. Sango stared at the woman once more. "Just who and what are you?" she asked coyly. Kagome lifted her gaze to the taijia. "I am Kagome, A reluctant Shirei to a dead-priestess, guardian to Inuyasha, mate to Lord Sesshoumaru; as you have probably guessed, I am also a Jigoku Inu" Sango grabbed her younger brother tightly by his small arm, wrenching him away from such a cursed and evil creature. A million questions raced through her mind, begging to be answered, however she was the dangerous Youkai known to exist, technically not to exist; to be extinct because the kamis themselves destroyed all of them to save humanity and demons alike. Yet here was one, standing before her, and a shirei. Kirara growled as Sango and Kohaku mounted her swiftly "Until we meet again" Sango voiced kicking Kirara into leaping out of the area, leaving her questions behind.

Just four sunrises ago they per-chanced upon a village nestled within the mountains that had been laid to ruin, every man, woman and child had been slaughtered. Thousands of demon carcasses littered the ground, portraying a fierce battle between human and demon. To which it appeared none of either party survived. A true waste of life. Kagome was no longer biased between the affairs of demons, becoming the slave and personal purification toy to a miko should have swayed her thoughts and desires; however, Kagome could hold no ill will towards humans. They were a weaker species, however they had more compassion and love than most demons she knew, for that they were strong and formidable. That afternoon, they happened upon an injured Ki-Neko, named Kirara, the same one Sango, the demon slayer called upon.

Inuyasha, Miroku and Shippo swiftly buried the slaughtered villagers in a series of graves, as Kagome set about caring for the neko. Unfortunately for herself and the others she could not understand the neko language, but understood the want she had in finding her mistress whom seemed left the village along with all of the trained taijia, some days ago and had yet to return. Something that was not normal. It was then that Kagome decided to voice her thoughts in finding the young taijia, and reuniting her with Kirara. Inuyasha was none too pleased, but after a few 'sits' he was easily swayed.

Kagome inwardly sighed in resignation, there had to be some way to ask the taijia to remain with them, some manner in which she would understand, not that Kagome did, she just followed the calling and the voices telling her where her path lay. She closed her eyes briefly as she relaxed in the heated water, allowing the wisps of steam to curl around her.

Kagome lay in the hot springs her mind relaxed but wandering on the nature of her mate, Sesshoumaru had likely gone back to his laborious paperwork. Kagome smiled, she knew how much he detested paperwork, how he would always fall asleep at his desk, drooling slightly, though she would never tell him that. She thought about her mate, imagining him in detail. The manner in which his muscles danced under his skin, the firmness of his butt, Sesshoumaru was a fine prime male, sexy and strong. She ran her hands along her body, imagining it was him that as touching her. His firm fingers creating a rhythm against her aching flesh, his hands running over her breasts...caressing them...rolling the nipples between fingers.

Kagome shuddered and moved to lean against the rim of the springs, allowing her back to push roughly against the grassy verge, she could feel her legs tremble, and if she were standing she would feel weak in the knees. It was all so real...she could feel the rough calluses from the centuries of swordsmanship, and heat from his hands, even smells his delectable scent of waterfalls and cedar. Her thoughts drifted away as she felt two firm biceps envelop her shoulders, long muscled arms draping over her, pulling her against a firm chest.

Kagome turned and looked over her naked shoulder, instantly seeing Sesshoumaru. "How are you? When did you get here?" she asked surprised, she had never heard, nor caught his aura around the spring. She had never even felt the waters ripple with his body sliding in. his silken mouth moved closer to her soft earlobe "You are asleep in this spring, this Sesshoumaru felt like joining you". Kagome leaned into his hardened frame, enjoying the feel of him.

"If I am asleep as you so state, then how did you get here?" she asked breathily. Sesshoumaru smirked "I too am asleep, at my desk" he answered as his hands began washing her bare arms, cupping heated water against her breasts, running long tapered fingers across her. "At your desk, you always fell asleep there" she answered in turn, almost dreamily. She suddenly bolted upright staring accusingly into his golden eyes "Always, did you pry into the dreams of other females?" she asked with indignation. "No mate, the one I would have invaded never slept as I did, instead she would work on those damn parchments in my stead. I would have invaded your dreams many a time had you simply closed your eyes and left them be"

A light blush stole up Kagome's cheeks, running over her tender nose. Sesshoumaru pulled her heart-shaped face closer to him, kissing the blush. His right hand slipped under the water's surface as the right continued to bathe her upper torso. Claws raked against her heated flesh as they lowered to find themselves in her hidden treasure deep under the water.

Kagome took in a sharp breath as clawed fingers ran lightly over her heated core, pressing gently as he moved his fingertips back and forth in a gentle caress. The other hand began fondling her breasts, lightly tugging and twisting taught nipples. She moaned as the feelings heated her blood ever hotter than the springs had induced.

She pressed closer to Sesshoumaru, a small sigh sliding from her lips. She pulled back slightly to turn and run her hands over the smooth plains of his chest; she curved her hands, mindful of sharp talons over muscle. He felt warm and solid under her hands, so big and wide that she felt it impossible to be a dream; it seemed far too real. The desire to lick ever curve and groove he held, every hollow begged within her mind.

Kagome whimpered in protest as she felt his hands move away from her body. However she caught at her breath as she felt his heavy erection press against her, there was no way that this was a dream; it was too hard and big, and begging to be sheathed within. She felt her own body respond needily, her cavern pulsing in anticipation, that her breathing hitched and became wanting. Feeling bold and desperately trying to decide whether this was a dream or reality, she slid her hand between his legs and cupped his firmness, a sigh escaped from his lips, his hands grabbing her pert behind, assaulting her cheeks with kneading fingertips.

Kagome growled in delight as she felt Sesshoumaru tremor at her touch, his eyes were rimmed in seductive rouge, unable to resist he leaned in for a kiss. His cold silken tongue thrust into her mouth in time with her firm but slow strokes on his fully erect member; once, twice, three times, instantly he released her behind, Sesshoumaru took control snaking a hand into her tresses and forcefully ravaging her mouth using his hands to command her body to the positions he wanted.

Using his other firm hand, he pulled her flush against his hard masculine body, strategically placing himself so he could slide one leg between hers, he felt as Kagome's body quivered in delight as his upper thigh pressed against her, rubbing insistently. He reveled in the way her feminine curves bore down against the caress, drawing it deeper into her core. Her mouth and his danced for supremacy as they became more and more passionate as their combined excitement mounted. When Sesshoumaru's leg moved away, Kagome growled in protest, nipping at his earlobe, only to gasp as his firm hand replaced his thigh and his fingers folding over her core before slipping inside.

Kagome arched into his touch, urging him on, her small petite hands stroking him harder and faster as his fingers worked their magic against her. His grunting urged her on, her whimpers creating a firestorm under his flaming skin. Growling deep in his throat unable to hold off any longer, Sesshoumaru grabbed her hips and lifted her out of the water and roughly threw her on the bank. He pulled her legs around his throbbing body, his mouth travelling from her lips to her throat, than farther until her caught a hot nipple in his mouth. He drew upon it, grazing the bud purposing with a fang. Kagome lost all control of herself in that moment as she offered her body to him, arching herself upwards, and rubbing her lower body against his firm erection. Sesshoumaru shifted, caught her delicate hips in his hands and drove deep into her. Her cry was swallowed as she was pinned to the embankment underneath him her body convulsing around his, causing his own to fire up ever hotter, on the verge of merciful release.

"Gives a whole new meaning to wet dream, does it not?" he asked her huskily as she moved in unison with him, their bodies winding ever tighter, their release moments away as tremors of an orgasm began fluttering between them. Just as they were about to come with sheer pleasure the connection was severed.

Kagome's eyes shot open, there was no warm Sesshoumaru, no heated flesh against her own, no firm hands holding her, no demanding lips claiming hers, there was only the tremors in her body…she glanced across the opposite side of the embankment, where a young woman stood, eyes glistening with unrelenting tears. She lifted her weapon, glaring at the unarmed woman lying in the springs, unguarded, unprotected and alone.

Kagome watched carefully as the young woman approached, katana raised in preparation to attack, she leapt and Kagome in turn stood and leapt from the spot she once occupied, attempting to catch the woman in mid-strike. One thought fleeting across her mind.

Sesshoumaru…

Sesshoumaru awoke with a start. It was not he who had severed the connection between himself and his mate, rather something had yanked her forcibly away from their joining ending in complete bliss. He growled in annoyance, there was always someone or something interrupting them, whenever they were getting intimate. Standing form his desk he stretched, allowing his muscles freedom to relax once more. He looked down, noticing his still full erection, having not being able to release his pent up sexual energies. He turned and left the holding swiftly as the feeling in his mate's mark burned with intense power, something was causing his mate distress, and that warranted death.

Kagome had caught Sango in mid-strike, the blade of the taijia's katana pressed lightly against her collarbone, leaving a thin trail of crimson in its wake snaking its way down her torso. Kagome has Sango's wrists in a firm embrace, her long talons digging deeply, however the young woman did not release the weapon. She looked on with determination, resigning herself to death. "Why do you wish for death taijia?" Kagome asked her tones still husky from her wet dream with her mate. "It was you, you did it. I will kill you and he will live, he will be released from your evil spell. I knew I should have killed you the moment I laid eyes on you months ago, when you were in leagues with that demon miko. But you put that moment of hesitation within me. You waited for a moment to destroy me, and you have thought yourself smug in succeeding. He told me of your plans, and I will kill you!"

Kagome's face fell in confusion "I know not of what you speak". Sango lifted a knee and allowed it to connect with Kagome's stomach, causing the daiyoukai to let go momentarily. That was all Sango needed, for now her blade was pressed securely against the deceitful Inu's throat. "I should have known better. Jigoku Inu are murderous scum, now realize him, else I will kill you. I know that poisons are your weakness. This blade has been soaked in poisons from a thousand demons, now release him!" Sango yelled into her ears as she forcefully grabbed the taijia's arm from digging the blade into her flesh.

"Release who Sango? Who have I supposed to have taken?" Kagome questioned, using all her strength to keep the blade from pressing further, however Sango seemed to be getting stronger, Kagome gave a startled cry of alarm as the blade slowly pierced her flesh, creating a line of blood around her neck. It was then that Kagome heard it, the whisper of malevolent power, the calling of a poisoned jewel shard.

"He told me you would lie, told me you would pretend not to know of whom I speak. Release my brother Kohaku you vile wretch!" Kagome recalled a younger taijia, an innocent one who had seen death but never actively participated in slayings himself.

Kohaku greeted his sister as she returned from another hunting trip, with awe and a bone-crushing hug, the legs and hide from one of her quarries in a small pouch upon her shoulder was dropped absently as she pulled her younger brother into the tight hug. Sango loved and valued her brother over her own life; she knew that deep down he wasn't cut out for the heat of battle, for the death and dismemberment of demons they slew. His innocent captured her heart and made her fight all the more gallantly. She wanted to spare her innocent baby brother the tasks of becoming a taijia. It was the more valuable swatch of cloth nestled to her bosom that was of far more interest to their father, than his reuniting children.

"Tell me Sango did you acquire the shard that influenced the demon spawn?" he asked. Sango smiled in answer as she pushed her brother far enough away to reach into her haori and remove the small swatch of course silk. "Certainly father, as I guaranteed. Here is the shard" Sango handed it to her father who placed it beside the others they had collected, quickly saying a prayer in hopes of quelling the calls to others who wanted it malevolent power.

"Father Will prayers cease its calling?" Kohaku asked innocuously, their father bestowed them with a look that spoke volumes "No son, only a priestess with excessive spiritual power can subdue the haunting calls to powerful demons" In that instant Sango thought to the unusual Daiyoukai she had come across a few occasions, one that travelled with a monk, a hanyou and a kitsune. A demon she had watched silence the jewel in the language of the damned, whom harnessed the holy power of a miko.

Sango shrugged her thoughts aside, smiling at her baby brother who began to pull away and head towards the home. She watched as their father placed a hand upon Kohaku's shoulder and bestow a punch in the gut to her heart "Kohaku, you are plenty old enough now to join in far more hunts and offer your services as taijia" Kohaku's spine went ramrod straight in fear, his grip upon his scythe so tight his knuckles turned white. "Yes father" he whispered as he acknowledged his father's authority. Sango instantly placed her own hand upon his shoulder as their father left them. Pulling him towards the weapons sparring area of their village. "Sango" Kohaku voiced after such a lengthy silence. His sister turned to answer him without words, but a sad gleam to her eyes "Is it true, that demons can spew fire and toxins?" he asked in a dull whisper. Sango knew better than to lie, so she answered with the truth "yes, some do" In that moment she wished she had lied, Kohaku fell into a deep despair "but we also fight Spiders, snakes and other various Youkai that have no such ability, I know that you will be fine. I wanted to spare you from this life but it seems as though I cannot. Father has told us that the most frightening demon, is one who masquerades as a human is far more dangerous than any demon we may face, that if they get a hold of the jewel, then that is trouble"

Sango and Kohaku sat in companionable silence each thinking of a certain Daiyoukai that did indeed pass herself as a human girl, and a priestess at that. As night began to roll in and the first fires were lit, a conscription notice arrived into the taijia village. "Sango, Kohaku" they heard their father call out. Both siblings went to their feet instantly seeking their lord and father. "It appears we have a job tonight, kit up, we leave at sundown"

"Why you vile bitch, Why did you take him from me?" Sango yelled as she raised her katana in another violent swing. Kagome ducked, the blade catching her cheek instantly. Blood trickled slowly down her porcelain face, her eyes belaying the internal fight to not battle the taijia, but the instinct to protect herself against the onslaught was battling her from the inside. Both women were locked in a battle to the death, sporting gashes and bloody trails down their soft bodies.

"It is a great fortune to us that you came so swiftly. We are attacked nightly by a great Spider demon" the court adviser announced to the party of taijia that knelt at the feet of a young lord whom had called them with haste. "Fear not young lord, I have brought some of my best people to serve you and defeat this demon" Sango and Kohaku's father replied, great pride in his voice that he had indeed taught his children the finer practice of demon slaying. "They are the villager's finest slayers, my son and daughter. Allow them to show you their skills against this creature that plagues you and yours"

Kohaku was shaking like a leaf, desperately trying to live up to the reputation of a fearless taijia; he was however failing – miserably. "You hear father? Just do your best, I'll have your back Kohaku I promise" Sango whispered to her younger brother, noticing how much he trembled. There was nothing she could do now, other than protect him with her life if the need arose.

The clouds rolled and bucked the color ominous. The slayers all took to their feet instantly, raising weapons in preparation for battle. Four pairs of bright colored rubies glared from the rolling blackness, pincers erupted from a hairy mouth as the head of the beast approached "The demon shows itself, go fourth demon slayers" the lord commanded. With a nod from their lord and father the taijia disbanded and took various locations to swarm the demon, like a pack of wolves, or dogs.

The taijia worked closely together, continually getting Kohaku out of a sticky situation as his feet were bound by the silken threads of the spider, or his body plastered against a tree. But together the adults and Sango attacked relentlessly. Their father speared the huge spider, pinning to the ground with his bladed spear "It is down, now destroy it taijia!" Sango took a running leap raising her weapon high and gaining the momentum to destroy its intended target. "Hiriakotsu!" she bellowed; warnings to all taijia to steer clear of a raging weapon on the kill. It tore through the spider from head to end, splitting apart the body ion sickening crunches. The demon gave a haunting howl of defeat as it fell to the ground. The lord and his men watching in silent awe of the young taijia female.

The elder taijia began chopping useful body parts off the carcass. Kohaku advanced upon them, knowing they could finally use him to help with something without getting himself in trouble. He swiftly jogged towards them, until he felt a piercing pinch upon the nape of his neck, then all went dark.

"There is something about this kill that was far too simple" Sango stated as she watched her father and other village taijia chop the carcass, ridding it valuable pieces of hide that could be used as weapons. The world turned a bloody shade of red as Sango watched in horror, as first the villagers were cut down in a blaze of hate, followed by her own father. Their throats savagely torn, of their hearts plunged and removed by a sharp and scythe shaped object.

Her heart shattered as she watched her brother, her innocent and pure brother; slay her father and villagers without a single shred of remorse. "Why? Why Kohaku?" she pleaded, then watched in terror as the same weapon now coated in the blood of their kin lifted against her. Kohaku took a step, then another and another until he was running towards her, weapon raised. Sango dropped her Hiriakotsu, placing her hands outwardly to stop him. The scythe flew forward, it chain clanking in protests as it whizzed by her face, the bone scarping on metal as it snapped the face mask off, and slid a wound into her cheek.

Sango dropped to her knees as her heart shattered much akin to the jewel in their village. Kohaku whipped his weapon back to himself, spinning it wildly above his head preparing to launch a killing blow. The scythe flew swift and true, in an instant Sango had her Katana drawn and fighting off the sharp weapon. Kohaku abandoned it, favoring his own blade. Metal fought against metal, brother against sister, innocence against heartbreak. "Why do you attack us Kohaku, have you forgotten me?" she questioned, a labor to her breath. It was then as the moonlight caught their blades in crossfire that she saw it, the web, the miniscule spider latched onto Kohaku, to his nape. The web trailed to the young lord sat upon his pedestal. Watching with a sadistic gleam to his eyes, as they fought for life and death.

Sango kicked Kohaku's legs from under him, dropped her katana and snatched up her Hiriakotsu; she launched herself into attack against the lord. Soldiers stood against her, trying to prevent her from attacking their lord and master, only to meet death in the form of a young sixteen summer woman who used her demon killing weapon against humans. They stood not a chance. As she lifted the weapon to launch it against her foe, a blinding blaze raced across her back, tickling her spine and making her lungs itch. She found her strength waning, her steps faltering. She turned slightly, finding that the blazing fiery heat only furthered to create searing pain from a weapon; Kohaku's weapon, lodged firmly in her back.

The weakness and shock spread throughout her body, causing her knees to give out. She hit the compacted earth with an audible thud, the breath rushing from her lungs as they continued to itch, the itch now becoming a slow burn. She heard him, Kohaku, heard his sharp inhalation as he suddenly came to his senses. As he looked upon his blood soaked hands, his weapon lodged firmly within his sisters back. "No! What have I done? Sango…" he made a blind run towards his sister, tears streaming from his chocolate eyes. Sango lifted her head as she heard the recognizable sounds of arrows slicing the air. Heard as they entered flesh and bumped against soft bone. Her adrenaline coursed through her veins as she watched the traitorous lord of all spiders; command that her brother be annihilated.

Four arrows pierced his soft body; Sango's eyes flowed along with her heart as she crawled to her now prone brother's body. He trembled in fear, in unbound sobs at what he had done. "Sango, I am so afraid" he whispered as the blood from his wounds seeped into the earth. "Don't be, I'm right here" she answered in turn. More pain, more pain lanced her spine as she too felt the impact of several arrows connecting with her torso. Sango smiled as she fell onto her brother, clutching him into a hold no-one could break them from. True that their bodies could be parted but she held his soul to her own.

Deep, cold, suffocating darkness enveloped Sango. A pure panic from her soul ripped through her, causing her to bolt her body upright and seek the purer air of life. Somehow she was alive, somehow the wounds to her body, heart, and mind had survived, her Soul called her to move, pleaded her to reach the village and save it and everyone around it from an evil, from the darkness that sought the fragments of the jewel that nestled within the taijia village in the mountains.

Sango willed her body to life, willed it to move. Her hands fisted and hit the earth around her, pushing it up, cascading it from around her to part and allow her freedom. She had been buried; alive. Something seemed wrong about it, not the being buried alive – the thought that she had been buried somewhere other than the taijia village screamed within her soul, screamed that it was wrong. All taijia were born and raised to be buried in the villages' graveyard within the mountain. All fallen comrades were gathered and returned to the village. She never understood that, until now. Her soul held on, her soul called out to complete the traditions of her village.

There was a feral yowling in her head, one that as she looked on at the various mounds around her, the mounds of her fallen brethren, father and…brother, only got louder. Her blood seemed to heat with the anger of being wronged, of her brother being used against her family, against his own free-will. She felt her skin itch, her fingernails seemed to pulse and prick painfully. Her eyes filled with heated tears, that served to make them throb behind soft soaked eyelashes, caused her vision to turn a shade of red. She hauled her body out of her own grave, and heard the intake of breath as someone watched her.

"You're alive?" a man's voice, softly spoken pulled her world of throbbing pain and redden vision to dissipate, her body to slump as though all the pain had suddenly caught up and reminded her of her wounds.

Kirara leapt into the springs, yowling at her mistress to cease, to inform her of what had happened. Sango however chose to ignore the plights of her comrade, taking a leap over Kagome's head. As she twisted her body, she landed a swift kick to Kagome's back, causing her to fall forward. As Kagome fell, she too turned herself so she could catch a hold of the blade as it swings downwards. She gripped the katana in her hands, the metal biting into her soft hands. She managed to pierce the steel blade with her talons, holding it place; the tip however had managed to nick the swell of one breast, causing more blood to ooze into the steamy waters.

"You vile bitch, you enslaved Kirara as well. You are the most despicable Jigoku Inu to have walked the lands. I understand why your race was deemed extinct; you're incorrigible in destroying everything innocent and gentle. Release my brother and Kirara!" Sango pushed a little harder, the beast within Kagome that was dormant under the shroud of miko power began to surface, much to Kagome's dismay. She never wanted to kill the taijia, but she wasn't giving her much choice. She felt as the cold brush of fire licked upon her skin, felt the cold shiver as her eyes broke into the deathly shade of red. Sango inhaled in a moment of fear. No-one faced the wrath of a Jigoku Inu, and lived.

"Sango, I will not kill you. I do not have your brother. Kirara is here of her own free will" she explained slowly and deliberately, willing her blood to calm, for her face to resume that of a less lethal looking killer. "LIAR!" Sango screamed, as her skin began to itch once more, her body tingling with anger spiked adrenaline, she plunged the blade with all her strength, with every intention to kill the murderous bitch.

Kagome pushed back, she was partially submerged in the springs the water closing over head. She looked through the water's surface as she saw tinged red eyes of a demon.

Sango lay in a cot reserved for a lord of stature and wealth. Her body ached terribly, her wounds unbearably painful, yet the young lord showed her compassion. Instantly he pulled her from the shallow grave that was hers, beside her family and comrades and placed her into his care. "I am lord Ukaran, son of the ruling lord, which was possessed by the spider that killed your brother. You said your name was Sango, you have my deepest sympathies. You're Family and comrades were sacrificed for that monster"

"Milord" a sinister voice echoed through the room. Sango flinched at the sound of it, rough and heavy, Ukaran steeped towards the shoji door, opening it. She stared at the figure clad in the pelt of a snow baboon, its skull covering most of his face. "Naraku" the young lord spoke his name with ease of a close friend. "I know you wished not to be disturbed, however I went to the slayers village to inform them of the terrible tragedy, however it had been, along with all occupants annihilated" Sango felt her whole world shatter anew. Everyone, everything she stood for was gone. With that the door was closed and the two men continued to converse outside.

"Tell me everything you saw in the village of the slayers" Ukaran asked, Sango listened very carefully slowing her breathing in a manner as to hear everything clearly. "Bodies were littered everywhere, men, women, even small innocent children. Most were drained of their life's blood, nothing more than withered bloodless bodies. A Hanyou was slaughtering the villagers and feeding the young to a Jigoku female. There was a monk and a kitsune in their group. It appeared as though they were possessed, no doubt by the two demons. From what I overheard, the damned one is named Kagome, also goes by the name Kaya and the Hanyou is Inuyasha. From what I gathered, Inuyasha seeks the power of the Shikon jewel to become a full fledged demon, whilst Kagome seeks all humanity to bow to the damned ones, which she plans to raise from hell"

Sango had heard enough, she hauled herself to her feet and pulled the door open forcibly. "Return me my weapon, and my armor. I will go to my village, and destroy Inuyasha and Kagome, for destroying my kin" Sango never saw the evil smirk that flittered on Naraku's face.

Sango sank to her knees, her Hiriakotsu to heavy to lift. Panting she desperately thought about her brother and her slain kin. "Did you know that souls that die in tragedy and those whom commit murder are pawns in the Hell queens' game of chess?" Naraku questioned as he stopped absently and looked over Sango's broken body. "What?" she asked, striving for breath. "Forgive me, I was speaking aloud. The souls of murderers and those who were murdered unmercifully in the heat of battle are pawns in the Hell Queens chess game. Your father and brothers souls are commanded by Kagome". Sango lifted her gaze towards her guide. "How, can I release them?" Naraku seemed to ponder this thought "No-one has ever released a Hell soul from the Jigoku Queen before, but I would imagine, you kill her, you release their souls to heaven.

Sango lifted her weapon once more, only to drop it instantly, she hadn't the strength to lift it let alone wield it in battle against Inuyasha and Kagome. "Here, I'll loan you this…" Naraku held out a fragment of his Shikon jewel "Where, where did you get that?" Sango questioned. "I've had it some time now, but I'm willing to lend it to you, so you may seek the justice you want. You are led to believe that only evil can come from the jewel. Good can also come from it"

Inuyasha hurtled through the trees upon the scent of Kagome's blood in the air. Within moments he saw the taijia, Sango from before standing to her calves in the spring, her katana drawn, its blades piercing the water, which stained it crimson. Kagome was nowhere to be seen. Sango was sporting some rather vicious gashes to her arms, wrists and face; evidence of a battle between the two women. "Where's Kagome?" he asked as he drew his sword. His answer came as Sango leapt from the pool of water and made for Inuyasha, sword drawn in attack.

Naraku sat and watched his prodigy attack and spear her katana through the torso of the Jigoku Inu. He mentally laughed at how simple it was to twist the onna into believing that Inuyasha and Kagome were the ones who had destroyed her village. "Inuyasha accept your fate, for murdering countless innocents, your opponent seeks your miserable life" Inuyasha snarled, launching himself into the tree line towards Naraku. Sango threw her chain, allowing it to twist around Inuyasha's ankle, and then she hauled him to the ground. "Leave Naraku. I am your opponent" she seethed, angry that he would dismiss their battle and seek out another innocent party.

Sango lifted her Hiriakotsu and threw it forcefully at Inuyasha "If you continue to attack me I'm gonna have to take care of you!" he gruffed. "You may have found my village an easy target to slaughter, but I'm more difficult. Your dead Hell Bitch is proof of that" Inuyasha deflected the Hiriakotsu, and then sought the taijia. As he drew closer, Sango threw a pouch of poison power at Inuyasha. "It is simple to weaken a dog-eared mongrel like you, reduce your senses of smell and you can't find me as I met into the shadows around you. Your back is constantly turned as you can't find me" Sango taunted.

Kirara yowled in pain as her mistress was being the aggressor. Kagome sat upright and pulled herself from the pool of water, coughing as she spewed that which travelled down her throat. Her throat burned as she inhaled the toxic poisonous power, slapping her hand to her nose and mouth she sought to give herself some protection. The other hand flew to the deep wound on her shoulder, one that would heal within a day. But still burned as it was fresh. Kagome flexed her power, allowing her skin to flush with cold fire. Another power fluctuated along hers, caressed her skin, and soul, her mate, Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru strode into the area, sword drawn as he felt the ominous power of a dark hanyou. His golden eyes cast towards his mate, who held her shoulder, as blood seeped from an open wound. He approached stealthily, looking over the cuts along her cheek and throat, they were healing already, but the fact that they had been placed there angered him. Kagome saw his intentions to kill the taijia, so placed a restraining hand upon him, shaking her head, whilst speaking to him privately on the mental path they shared.

'No mate, she is not in her own mind. She is being controlled. Twisted lies planted in her head. There is a fragment of the Shikon jewel on her person. Naraku is fuelling her'

Miroku darted into the fray, raising his staff, the bangles that hung clanking with the force he put behind the swings. Naraku pulled out a katana staving the monk off his person. Saimyosho flew around his form as Miroku lifted the prayer beads from around his wrist in order to suck the essence of the evil hanyou inside the curse he inflicted upon his forefathers and himself. "Prepare to die" he hissed in anger. Naraku simply laughed it off, raising his katana to fight back "The only thing I shall do is collect the jewel shards" he announced. Miroku slashed with his shakuju, severing the hand in which held the katana from Naraku's body.

The hand fell to the ground, Miroku stood over the hanyou, his staff raised for another blow; except this one to kill. Sesshoumaru's gaze tore across the distance as the hand flew across the area heading directly for his mate. A deep guttural growl resounded, causing all manners of creatures in the flora to disperse. Kagome watched as the hand drew closer. Instantly a blade cut deep into the offending ligament, binding it to the ground. "You dare attempt to touch my mate with your filthy hand" Sesshoumaru seethed, darting across the distance to impart some reality on the male.

Naraku simply laughed once more. Kagome cried out, but all fell on deaf ears. Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha and Miroku were thrown back in a blast of demonic ki, both falling to their rears in a moment of confusion. Kagome plunged herself deep into the water of the spring to separate herself from the blast. As she rose she held onto the embankment, her eyes following the path of Naraku. Sesshoumaru was the first to stand, his weapon raised. He advanced only to be pushed back by a thick screen of miasma "Sango, I'll await your return to the castle, I trust you can accomplish the task of killing those who murdered your kin"

Sango stood perfectly stable, her Hiriakotsu in hand, her long mane flapping about in the stir that Naraku caused. Her rich chocolate eyes staring at him intensely, but her mind was wandering over the thoughts in her heart 'can I really trust Naraku?' Kirara took that opportune moment to approach her mistress once more, she mewed gently, coaxing her mistress to listen and understand what was happening. Sango opened her arms wide to encompass the neko into her arms. "Kirara follow him, if he does anything suspicious, kill him" Kirara yowled in response and took off following Naraku.

Inuyasha and Miroku set about following, until Sango's weapon hurtled across their path "Inuyasha, your fight is with me" Sesshoumaru ignored the battle, offering his hand to Kagome, lifting her from the pool to tend to her wounds. "Sesshoumaru stop them, she's been tricked, don't allow them to harm her" she voiced, wrapping her mates outer haori around herself. Sesshoumaru huffed, but raised his head to the battle between Inuyasha and Sango. He had to admit, if only to himself that the taijia had some skill. She had already disarmed Inuyasha, and was presently throwing a pouch of poison powder. He shook his head slightly in distain, darting off in their general direction.

Inuyasha knocked the taijia poison mask from her face, and watched as she clapped her hands to her mouth instantly. Kagome yelled at Inuyasha for fighting unscrupulously, to which Sesshoumaru intervened and hauled the taijia from harm. She was placed behind the demon Lord whilst he delivered a well executed punch to the young Inu hanyou. "Fool, Kagome is affected by poisons" he snipped, not daring to add that humans were more susceptible to poisons than his own mate. "Sango are you alright?" Kagome asked sincerely, Sango didn't know where to look; only a few moments ago she had a sword pressed to this woman's throat; evidence lay in a thin line of red across her skin, she had dared to take her life, yet she asked if she were alright.

Sango dropped to the ground where she stood, her eyes wide as she looked at woman who asked her something so simple, yet so profound. "I am well, considering. How fare your wounds?" Sesshoumaru turned in the taijias direction "You attacked my mate?" he questioned, turning his heated golden glare on her. Sango lowered her head, and gave in, if she were about to join the remainder of her village, it may as well be for this reason. "Hai, I did. I believed that Kagome-chan had a hold over my brother's soul. I know now that she does not. Forgive me. I had sought justice for my kin without listening to reason".

Kagome looked towards her mate, hoping that he would spare her. Sango was tricked into attacking their small party. "It takes more courage to admit defeat, than to shy away. As penance for your indiscretions you shall accompany my mate in seeking revenge against those that the Hanyou has wronged" Sesshoumaru's small statement caused a smile to radiate from his mate and a grimace from his brother. "Great, just perfect another bitch, another mouth to feed and a lowly human too"

Sesshoumaru instantly growled at Inuyasha's admonition, followed instantly by a command from Kagome that Inuyasha really didn't want to do in front of his brother "SIT!" In that moment Inuyasha face planted the ground in an unruly manner. Sesshoumaru smirked, hiccupped and laughed quietly to himself. "If I ever hear you complain about Miroku or Sango being human again I shall S-I-T you into next moonrise. You have no right to curse them for whom and what they are. They are allies, friends, and a part of our group whether you like it or not" Kagome left Inuyasha in his crater. "I hate doing that to him, but sometimes I just have no choice" Kagome smirked.

Sesshoumaru sat himself on the ground, something Sango gaped like a fish out of water over. A Daiyoukai, Lord of the Lands sitting, on the ground! Until Kagome perched herself into his keeping. He slid the haori off slightly exposing the wound on her shoulder, to which Sango hung her head over, and gently began to cleanse the wound with light kisses. Well to a human it looked like light kisses. Miroku took that opportunity to intercept the Taijia and lead her away from the pair.

Kagome smiled openly at the monk, her vassal. He was so in tune with demons it was unreal. He knew when to leave alone, when to steer away and when to intercede. He was valued to her heart. Like right now, as her mate was cleansing her wound of any infections that may occur due to the fight and the atmosphere, Miroku instantly took control and lead Sango away.

Sesshoumaru took it upon himself as Kagome's mate to see to her wounds instantly. It tore him up inside that she would rather he assisted the taijia before he saw to his mate. But then Kagome always did think of others before herself. Regardless of who and what they were. Even the one who had injured his mate had to be protected and seen to before he would be permitted to do what he was doing now. He lapped his course tongue along the angry wound in her shoulder, soliciting a shudder from his mate. "Thank you, however I can heal the wound in moments if you would allow me" she spoke in hushed tones. "No, you are Youkai; you should not use the power of a miko. You are my mate, and thus will be healed by me. If ever I sustain an injury I would want healing to come from you, not the miko inside you"

"Even if you were near death, and the power of the miko were much more practical?" Kagome asked softly "Indeed" Sesshoumaru answered allowing her to stand when he was satisfied.

Sango sat beside Miroku as the monk tendered to her. "My dear Sango, you were tricked by Naraku. He is a twisted, evil hanyou that sees misery and pain to whomever he crosses" Sango turned to the monk, her eyes full of unshed tears "Naraku, has he, hurt everyone in this group, is that why you seek him?" she questioned, thinking about the nature of the group. Daiyoukai, Jigoku Inu, Kitsune, Hanyou, houshi. "Indeed he has, Inuyasha was tricked into being killed by his lover, who was also tricked in the same manner. You've met Kikyo I believe; the undead miko" he waited for Sango to nod in affirmation "Well Kagome and Sesshoumaru were tricked in a similar fashion, Kagome was Kikyo's shirei, in a way she still is. Although she is Sesshoumaru's mate she can never have the life she wishes without the destruction of the Shikon, and Naraku possesses a part of it".

Sango listened carefully, putting the pieces of the huge puzzle in place, felt as his hands drifted over her wounds "You have lost a lot of blood, and being around my lady, it could fare a difficult situation" he ripped his robe, bandaging her wounds tightly. "and what of you?" she finally asked, regretting it instantly when his violet eyes clouded over "Every male in my bloodline is cursed to suffer a death far worse than the kamis above can bestow" Sango averted her gaze, she never wanted to see someone look forward to death so intently, only to have it denied them. In fact that was one thing each of the group held in common. The look of death, and the desire to embrace it.

"Kohaku, are you afraid of becoming a slayer?" Sango asked her brother as they sat in the flower field near their home. Taijia had returned that night with one of their brethren, who had been slain along with the monster. "N-no" she instantly sniffed out the lie. Together they watched as the body of the man neither knew was taken into the limestone cave of the deceased. "Want to know a secret? Everyone is just a little afraid of battling demons, even me" she admitted, watching the glow of another life committed to their deity shone from the mouth of the cave. "And father?" Kohaku asked, he felt as did all those within the village, as the soul was released from the body, as it placed itself into regeneration for rebirth.

Sango smiled, as she felt it "even father, but this is what we must believe in. that if we die in the midst of battle, we will be returned here to our home. That we can be released from our bodies and regenerate our souls before we're reborn into someone else. That is the reason we are so adept at what we do, we have lived for hundreds of years this way, and our deity sees to it"

Sango thought about her brother, feeling as her life was slipping away. She was the last from her village, of taijia, of… Miroku managed to grab a hold of her as she slipped into unconsciousness. Kagome approached the young taijia as she lay sprawled out on the ground, Miroku watching over her. "She's merely fainted due to the lack of blood. There's a jewel shard embedded in her back" Kagome announced as she bent over the young taijia and removed it "I thought as much, it was the way she fought. There was no way a human woman could be that strong" Inuyasha spoke, rubbing his shoulders as they ached from being planted into the ground. "She was manipulated into killing you both, the jewel shard is what gave her the added drive" Miroku added holding out his hand for the shard that Kagome now possessed.

Kagome placed her hands on the taijia, within moments the power of the miko flowed to the forefront of her mind and body. She pictured the wounds open but no blood, sealed so no infection could enter, enough to move her to relative safety and be able to heal them properly, before their eyes the wounds were doing everything that Kagome thought, the blood flow stemming, but the wound remaining. She picked up the prone woman, holding her close. "Lets go, we need to get those jewel shards from him, before he hurts someone else".

Sesshoumaru ran alongside Kagome who was holding Sango close to her, Inuyasha running behind them, with Shippo running beside him in full kitsune form, Miroku sitting on his back holding Sango's weapon. The raced through a clearing to find Naraku lying in wait "Inuyasha, Kagome, I see you are both still alive" Kagome placed Sango down, noticing that she was indeed awake and staring at the evil hanyou. "Remain here, we'll deal with this vile hanyou" Kagome was about to turn on Naraku when she noticed her mate no longer by her side, instead he, Inuyasha and Miroku were facing off Naraku. "Admit it Naraku, you were the one who called upon the hundreds of demons to attack the village and annihilate everyone" Miroku asked as he looked at Naraku with distaste. "All I did was mention to the demons that the village guard would be thin that day"

She released baited breath, shocked as being used as a pawn in some sick and twisted game that cost her, her village's life, that she was used against those who were innocent. Inuyasha took a leap at Naraku "You really enjoy messing with people's heads you vile creep!"

"Tell me are you thinking of Kikyo when you say that?" Naraku smirked. "I'll make you pay for that!" Inuyasha snipped slicing the head off Naraku "Inuyasha Don't!" Kagome called out. Miasma thick and pulsing bellowed from the spot where a head once was, spewing all around the area. Sesshoumaru turned instantly grabbing the houshi and raising himself up and out of the thick of it. Kagome did the same with Sango. Whilst Kirara grabbed Shippo. "Something is not right; I can't sense any demon spirit within him. Nothing, which means…Inuyasha that is not Naraku, it's a puppet" Sango called out watching from below.

"Demon puppetry, interesting" Sesshoumaru mused watching his half-brother battling futilely against such an abomination. Uninterested, and not wanting to hold a human male for any length of time, he unsheathed Tokijin, lifted it above his head and swung down, releasing his dragon-strike. Instantly the puppet was gone, a wooden doll in its place. Kagome dropped down to the ground, and opened her hand, palm wide. Channeling the powers of the miko within she purified the area of all toxins and miasma.

"If demon puppetry was in play that means Ukaran was really Naraku, the fiend!" Sango seethed. Kagome turned to the slayer, Ukaran that is Naraku mirrored, he deceived you, and you were not to know" she spoke softly.

Turning to Sesshoumaru, Kagome addressed him privately 'Mate, Naraku is far more devious than even I gave credit for. I fear there is a path paved with blood and misery that we must walk. A path in which you cannot follow' everyone heard the deep guttural growls of disapproval from the Demon Lord, but paid it no mind. It appeared that something was spoken, that no-one witnessed save their lady, and no-one was going to ask. Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Inuyasha watched as Sesshoumaru stepped towards Kagome, placed a firm possessive kiss upon her lips and leave with a parting message,

"If anything happens to my mate I will kill all of you!"

Sango and Miroku turned towards said female who was shaking her head in astonishment "Arrogant Dog!" she mused under her breath. She placed a tender hand on Sango's shoulder, "fancy a bath?"