Authors Note: Ah, the climax at last neh? For all those who have delusions of the suspense ending here I am truly sorry. It dose not stop until the very last chapter, which will be the next one. *Evil Grin* So without further delay lest get back to the story.

Chapter Five
Secrets Revealed

After many heated debates and a few more, "SIT!"s Inuyasha and Kagome finally came to a compromise. They would walk through the forest, and if they happened to run into Miroku and Sango they would deal with them then.

'Just when I thought he could sit back and relax for one afternoon.' Kagome sighed inwardly and gently took his hand as they walked. She tried very hard not to laugh when his ears started to spasm for reasons of their own. 'I guess I can't stay mad at him long though… He's so cute when he dose that.' In silent acceptance of Inuyasha's uncontrollable need to finish this quest as soon as possible, and when she thought about it he really did have his reasons, she fell in step closer to him, almost walking arm in arm on that beautiful spring day. She could actually almost forget about their quest as she walked. The weather was great, the villagers nearby seemed to be at peace, and, unless she was imagining Inuyasha was… smiling. She closed her eyes to inhale the heady scent of the woods, and him…

"Inuyasha what's wrong?" she asked when he stopped. He'd tensed so suddenly and his nose was in the air searching…

"I smell…youkai…" he paused for a moment and his face grew very dark. "Naraku…"

Kagome gulped hard in a desperate attempt to keep her heart beating. It was a small chance, but there was still a chance that this next battle could be the last one. Without need for orders or hesitation Kagome assumed the position on Inuyasha's back so that he could carry them towards the demon before he got away.

"Now do you wish you'd let me go hunting for Miroku and Sango?" he asked in he flimsy attempt to calm her with humor.

Kagome offered a weak smile at his attempt. "Inuyasha now is not the time," she said in a voice that could not mask her fear. He simply nodded an took off through the forest as fast as he could. He'd be damned if Naraku got away one more time. No. Today was the day it finally ended…

~~~

Miroku, unable to move, closed his eyes, as he heard the energy crackle towards him. He had no choice in these last few seconds but to wait for death… If nothing else he could die with her name on his lips. "Sango…"

A flash of silver, red, and green dashed from the bushes near Miroku just as the energy made contact. The false Sango cackled happily and waited for the dust to clear. When it did she did not see what she expected.

"Better luck next time!" Came that all to familiar arrogant growl of the Hanyou as he furiously brushed the dust out of his eyes. NANI? He…he'd blocked the power of 35 shards with just one swing of the Tetsiga? One or two shards alone help the power of one hundred demons, but 35?! And he was just standing there with that stupid arrogant smirk! The Hanyou couldn't even see her at the moment and he was mocking her!

"Inuyasha!" the false Sango hissed dangerously. Again there was a hint of something foreign to her voice. No matter what she would not be surprised again… WHAT THE HELL? Damn! In the moments of her assured victory she'd released the binding spell she'd placed on the Monk and now that stupid reincarnation of Kikiyo was helping him to safety?!

"Are you alright Miroku?" Kagome asked trying to get a better look at the gaping holes in his stomach.

The Monk hardly heard her. He had only one concern… "What has he done to her?!"

Kagome and Inuyasha glanced up at their adversary for the first time. "Sango?!" Inuyasha screamed in confusion. "What the hell are you doing?!" His other two companions were still too caught up in their emotions to speak.

"It's very simple…" said a sickeningly wicked voice from the shadows. Clothed in his traditional baboon skin he simply sat hunched over, watching their struggle like it was entertainment.
"NARAKU!" They all cried out in hatred.

"Glad too see you haven't forgotten me…" he said quietly shedding his guise and standing before them. With a smirk playing on his lips he continued, "As I said it's a very simple implantation spell. A few dozen Shikon Jewel Shards pumped inside her, a little magic, and you have yourself the perfect ultimate weapon." He paused in his explanation to chuckle and his audience looked at him horrified. "It was almost too easy considering the fact that she already had a Shikon Jewel shard imbedded in her to begin with! It's almost like she was begging to be turned against you." He turned his back to them, walking back to his resting spot saying only one thing over his shoulder. "You may kill them now Sango… start with the Monk!"

Sango closed her eyes and her fists shook against her sides as a strange purple aura enveloped her. She looked like she was in so much pain…like she was trying not to scream…" As the power coursing through her intensified he was lifted ten feet into the air, no longer able to control or ground herself. "Miroku…" she growled in a whisper dripping of that foreign accent. Her eyes forced there way open just slightly as she continued to shake. "DIE!"

"No Sango!" he cried as she launched an even greater attack upon his being. He and Kagome just barely managed to doge the blast… They dogged in different directions… leavening Miroku isolated from the aid of his other two companions and easy prey for Sango.

Sango, still shaking, floated towards him, stopping just inches before him. She was still hovering three feet above the ground, so Miroku had to look up to meet her gaze. The look he gave her just then… it physically hurt to see the pain in his eyes.

"WHY ARE JUST STANDING THERE!" Inuyasha roared. "ATTACK HER! ATTACK NARAKU!!! DO SOMETHING!!!"

Kagome, for once in her life, matched Inuyasha's seething rage. How dare he. HOW DARE HE try to use Sango against them. Without thinking she drew an arrow and aimed straight for Naraku's heart. The bow was taunt, her aim was sure, and she was just about to release it when a sea of demons poured out of the forest and engulfed their group.

Naraku smirked again. "Since you too seemed so willing to fight I decided to invite a few friends to accommodate, "he said smoothly, almost methodically. "They won't kill you of course… I've reserved that privilege specifically for Sango." Another smirk. "But they can surely bring you to deaths door while we wait for her to finish off the Monk."

"Sango…" Miroku whispered, unable to raise a finger to defend himself against her. She was still shaking, glaring at him with such a cold, empty stare. She wasn't herself. This was not the Sango he knew. Damn that Naraku! He could only hope his friends could avenge them all…

Sango's aura grew so bright it was nearly blinding. Slowly, very slowly, she extended her arms, gripped his robes, and began to pull him up from the ground. "Is this the end Sango?" he asked, his voice laced with as much pain as his eyes revealed. His arms lay slack at his side. Naraku had finally won…

"SANGO!" came the miko's voice from not to far away. Miroku turned his head and his eyes nearly feel from their sockets in shock. Inuyasha was wielding the Tetsiga, killing the demons a hundred at a time, but they still kept coming. One might guess his suddenly ability to use the Tetsiga to its full ability was prompted by Kagome, who was now making her way towards them surrounded in an aura twin to Sango's.

Inuyasha was expressing his serious dislike for Kagomes plan of action rather vehemently as he kept the demons at bay. She was just walking towards Miroku and Sango, unarmed, almost unaware of her actions. The demons lunged at her, trying to obey their masters orders, but not a single one of them could permeate her energy shield. Instead they fell to the ground, crying out in pain, upon contact. When she finally reached Miroku and Sango she spoke with the calm commanding tone of a mother scolding a disobedient child. "Put him down Sango…now."

A small cry escaped Sango's lips bringing Miroku's attentions back to her. Her eyes were clenched shut again and if she shook any harder she might just burst apart. "Sango…" he started, not quite sure of what to say. He didn't realize what was happening until the sound of shifting fabric hit his ears and he fell back down to earth. He couldn't believe it… she let him go…had she… had she broken Naraku's spell on her own.

Cringing with pain he manage to prop himself up on one elbow in time to see Sango's release. Kagome held her hands cupped in front of her chest. She was facing Sango, her back to Miroku, but he'd bet anything that all the Shikon Jewel Shards in their position floated in the orbed space of her grasp. "Come to me." she whispered. With a violent jerk the Shikon Jewel shards that had been inhabiting Sango's body flew to Kagome's powerful grip.

"Sango!" Miroku cried out as her eyes fell closed, her aura dimmed to nothing, and she descended towards the ground. Gods knows how he found the strength to get their in time, but he caught her. He caught her. "Sango! Sango!" he repeated worriedly, but it was to no avail. The girl was unconscious and bleeding from many wounds in the chest. The ext wounds of the shards. "Sango!" Miroku cried again in a terrible fear. Fear of losing her. Nothing in his life, none of his struggles, none of his sacrifices, nothing would be worth it if he lost her now… Biting his lip to fight back tears he tore off his purple outer robes and pressed them tightly to her chest. "Sango… please hang on…"

A faint smile graced Kagome's lips as the shards impacted together and forged whole again. Her head was tilted downwards, and her eyes were closed with absolute assurance. "It. Ends. Now! " she said with deadly calmness.

It all happened at once. Inuyasha swung the Tetsiga one last time… Kagome released the power of the Shikon Jewel on the very demon that had caused all this pain… Miroku clutched Sango to his chest and tore open is Kazzana one…last…time. As all the energies combined at their target there was a massive explosion sending demons, trees, …everything went flying. And then there was silence.

Author's Notes: Don't forget to breath everyone! Until next time!