Dawn found Inuyasha away from Kagome's side and in the garden. The sun was rising in the east but he was more focused on the dark clouds rolling in from the west He wasn't alone for long nor was he surprised by who joined him.

"In the past, many would say this was an ominous sign before battle." Sesshomaru noted.

Sparing his brother a brief glance, Inuyasha continued to watch the darkening western sky.

"True but I thought we were past superstition?"

A small smile briefly flitted across Sesshomaru's face. "We are, but no youkai in the area could fail to feel the surge in your power when you and your miko finally consummated your relationship last evening."

As Sesshomaru's words sunk in, Inuyasha blushed and began to splutter.

"How could you... How do you... Power surge?"

Restraining a chuckle at his flabbergasted brother, Sesshomaru explained. "The last stage in bonding is the joining of bodies. We didn't tell you about it because it had to come naturally. If it had been done out of duty, neither of you would have come into your full power. It's a onetime occurrence but entirely necessary."

Inuyasha was quiet as he struggled to understand the information he received. A distressing thought suddenly invaded his mind. "Do you think Yuji felt it?"

Sesshomaru's humor immediately faded. "Without a doubt. This will make him an even more fearsome opponent."

Inuyasha agreed. "He knows he can't have her. Kagome is bonded with me now," A flash of red entered his amber eyes. "She is mine."

"Do not under estimate him, little brother. Yuji has not survived centuries without some cunning and we still are not sure if the link with her mind is completely broken. He will do his best to use her to kill all of us."

Inuyasha sighed. "I know. I'll be ready."

Sesshomaru turned he eyes back to the skies. "You'll have no choice. If he gains control of her and we can't break his hold, are you prepared?"

"Prepared?" Inuyasha echoed.

Grimly, Sesshomaru repeated his question with an addition. "What are you prepared to sacrifice in order to save the world?"

Turning to face his brother, Inuyasha's eyes were hard. "I have given so much already. Surely the kamis will give me one reprieve?"

For a moment, Sesshomaru was silent. When he finally spoke, however, Sesshomaru's words chilled Inuyasha to his soul. It was a glimpse back at the daiyoukai of the past; cold, heartless and ruthless to the core. Sesshomaru never raised his voice but the icy edge of his words cut deeply

"Sometimes, it is not enough to depend on the whims of fate. If you intend on seeing this to a victorious end, I suggest you let go of any contrived notions and be prepared to get bloody. Yuji will stop at nothing to slaughter us and depending on the whims of kami will leave you nothing more than as carrion fodder."

Turning on his heel, Sesshomaru left Inuyasha alone to contemplate his next move.

Ooooo

Everyone was seated at breakfast when Inuyasha came in. Even though his face was calm, Kagome could feel the distress he was harboring. The conversation at the table focused on strategy. Everyone was tense and Kagome felt her powers itching under her skin. She could feel SOMETHING on the edge of her senses and she wanted get away from it as soon as she could.

The men left the table to tie up loose business ends. Inuyasha cast a longing glance at Kagome. He could sense her agitation as well but duty called before they could talk. Grateful that the meal was over, Kagome went to the dojo. Kneeling in front of the altar, Kagome attempted to clear her mind and channel her magicks.

Kagome.

Her heart nearly stopped as she heard the feared yet familiar voice reverberating in her head.

"No!"

Kagome could hear the purr in Yuji's voice.

Yes. I must admit, it took a moment and considerable power in order for me to breach your formidable shields. Did you think I would let you go so easily?

Going into full blown panic, Kagome frantically looked around the room, knowing she would find no one present, save herself.

"What do you want, Yuji? Why can't you just leave us in peace?"

This time, there was no mistaking the crazed laughter in Yuji's voice. "I told you before, I intend to have you. Your dog and his handlers will die by my hand but don't worry; I won't rip his heart out until you are there to watch him take his last breath."

Anger lanced through Kagome, white hot and fierce. "You will die soon, Yuji! I promise you that! I promise you will find death by my hand."

Again, Yuji chuckled. "Such power, such anger. We could be unstoppable together. Soon, Watashi no kogarana, you will be offered a choice. You won't refuse me."

Before Kagome could come up with a reply, the door to the dojo came crashing open and Inuyasha ran into the room. Taking one look at Kagome's angry but shaken face, he quickly pulled her into his arms.

"What's going on? What happened?'

For a long moment, Kagome could only shake her head against Inuyasha's chest. It felt so safe in his arms and she wanted nothing more for the two of them to run away and try to find anywhere in the world they could be free. Knowing that would be impossible, Kagome realized it was time to face the music.

"It was Yuji. He's in my head. He's here."

ooOOoo

Panic quickly spread through the compound. Sesshomaru and Dai quickly went to sweep the grounds, both clad in the specially designed armor created to repeal magic. The others returned to their rooms to change and Iaso went to the prayer room to reinforce the spiritual wards.

With shaking hands, Kagome changed into her own armor. It had the same powers as the men's armor and Kagome was grateful for the extra layer of protection. Slim-fit black spandex pants and long sleeved top slid on easily. As she pulled a pair of gloves from a drawer, Kagome was surprised to see a red cloth land on the dresser in from of her. Picking it up, she gasped as she recognized it as a smaller version of a fire-rat haori. Holding it up, she saw it was identical to Inuyasha's own robes with a slimmer fit. Turning, Kagome saw him standing clad in his old fire rat robes. The memories of the past overwhelmed her for a moment. Inuyasha could sense her feelings and wanted to soothe her.

"I had this made for you the day you were reborn. I had found the cloth and stored it for centuries. I wanted you to have it. I didn't know you would need it for protection. "

Sliding on the robe, Kagome was impressed with the way the robe shaped itself to fit her perfectly. Taking the few steps that stood between them, Kagome wrapped her arms around Inuyasha and held him tightly.

"Thank you for thinking of me, even then."

Squeezing her back, Inuyasha took in a deep whiff of her scent and the safety and security it represented. "You act as if I could not think of you, always."

Leaning down, he planted a gentle kiss on her lips, unbridled lust shining in his eyes. "Let's go kick Yuji's ass so I can show you how much I've thought of you"

ooOOoo

Other than a small breach in the wards, Sesshomaru and Dai found nothing amiss within the boundaries. Isao took care of the small breach and the group met in front of the home.

"We found nothing major except for the small opening in the wards." Dai reported to the others. "With the residual spiritual energy Yuji still caries within, it was just enough to poke a small hole to get his mental signature through to Kagome."

Kagome shuddered. "He said it took a lot of power for him to breach the mental shields. I don't know if it weakened him."

"Until we know for sure, we have to assume that it didn't." Sesshomaru replied. "We are going to have to go outside the wards to lure him out. There's no other way."

Quickly, everyone was given assignments. Miroku was to stay behind the wards with Isao and assist him in keeping the wards spiritually fortified. Sango would also remain behind. Inuyasha and Kagome would set off together while Dai and Sesshomaru would set off separately around the perimeter of the area. Before they left, Isao approached Kagome. In his hand was a small glowing orb. At everyone's questioning look, he began to explain.

"This is the portion of Yuji's soul that you retrieved. It contains the goodness of his spirit. I purified it to help sustain that goodness. This piece will be automatically want to rejoin the other part of his spirit. The goodness and purity will weaken him. Once they have merged, you will be able to destroy him."

Frowning, Inuyasha studied the orb in the priest's hand. "So you're saying she'll have to get close enough to Yuji in order for it to be attracted to its missing home? I thought the whole goal was to go out, kill Yuji and everyone comes back in one piece?"

Isao looked sadly at the couple before him. Inuyasha's face was stern but his eyes were pleading for a different answer. Kagome, on the other hand, glared at him with unbridled anger. He knew Kagome continued to blame him for forcing her hand at the temple but he knew there was no other way. He wished he could share what else he had foreseen but Isao learned a long time ago not to attempt to change the whims of destiny.

Almost defiantly, Kagome stuck out her hand. "Give it to me." Snatching the orb from Isao's palm, she went to Sango and gave her a hug. No words were exchanged between the two women but with years, no, centuries of friendship between them, none were needed.

"Come on, Inuyasha. Let's do this so we can finally be free."

Stalking off into the woods, the others could only watch as Inuyasha and Kagome crossed the wards and went head on to their fate.

Thank you so much for taking time to read and review! BTW, Watashi no kogarana means 'my petite' or 'my little one'.