Thank You, Thank You to everyone who has reviewed my story!!

As always, I do NOT own Inu Yasha…does this really come as a surprise to anyone?!?

Shadows

Chapter 11: Kagura's True Self

Inu Yasha, Sango, and Miroku traveled through the morning and into the afternoon before finally stopping to rest. Inu Yasha knew that he could have kept going, but having two human companions with him made him not able to travel as much as he wanted, if he wanted to keep their company.

As Sango prepared lunch for them, Inu Yasha jumped into a tree and waited. They had brought some of Kagome's stash of Ramen with them, but he really didn't feel like eating when Kagome was in danger. All he could do was think about her…and the words they had shared before she was taken.

"Aishiteru Inu Yasha…always"

With a sigh, he settled into his branch a little further. Why did it have to happen, and right after they finally had confessed their feelings? A small portion of him was almost glad that the attack had happened- at least now he knew that it was Naraku he was dealing with, not Kikyo. Somehow, even though Naraku was a strong demon, he was more relieved that it was him then Kikyo. At least he didn't have to worry about his old love sucking the soul out of his new one. But why was Naraku suddenly targeting Kagome? Usually his attacks were either at himself or Miroku, and once in awhile sending Kohaku after Sango. Was it because she was reincarnation, had he decided to try and render the same fate?

"Inu Yasha, lunch is ready." Sango called up into the tree.

With a "feh", Inu Yasha jumped down to the fire where his bowl of Ramen was sitting.

"So, Inu Yasha, have you given any thought as to what we will do when we find Naraku's castle?" Miroku asked the hanyou.

Inu Yasha looked at him briefly out of the corner of his eyes, then continued eating. "No"

Sango sighed and Miroku nodded and ate before replying, "So it will be the regular 'Run in and attack without any plan' plan again?" he said with a hint of humor in his voice.

"What's wrong with that?"

"Don't you think that will be a little predictable? You said that the demon he sent said to come after them. Won't he be expecting us?" Sango asked, picking up Kirara and petting her while she spoke to him.

"Well…yeah" Inu Yasha grumbled.

"So perhaps we should think of a different sort of plan that he might not be expecting?" Miroku questioned.

"Fine, whatever. You guys think of a plan and let me know. Until then, lets just keep traveling as much as we can." Inu Yasha put down his bowl and his companions nodded in agreement.

"Let's get going. Maybe we can reach a village by nightfall." Sango suggested and the three (plus Kirara!) headed off again.

*~*~*

Kagome slowly opened her eyes. There was a blaring pain at the back of her head as she looked around at her surroundings. She was in a small, dark room, chained to the wall. 'Oh great, this must be Naraku's dungeon!' she thought to herself as she tried to get into a more comfortable position.

Just then the door to her dingy cell opened and Kagura walked in, carefully closing the door behind her. As she turned to face her, Kagome drew in a breath sharply seeing that she had some sort of weapon in her hands. 'What, are they going to torture me now?!' she thought to herself and looked back at Kagura's face. She was surprised to see not hatred in her eyes, but instead they were full of anger, sadness, and something else…almost shame.

"Kagura…"

"You know why I'm here Kagome, don't you? I'm supposed to, by any means necessary, make you Naraku's servant. He wants me to brainwash you into betraying Inu Yasha, but…" she trailed off.

"But what?" Kagome prompted, surprised at the sudden confession.

"But I feel like…I mean, I don't want to. I feel bad for you, with all we've already put you through. Watching everything that's happened to you, it's just not right!" She sighed and turned away.

"Kagura!" Kagome exclaimed, extremely surprised, "I-I can't believe, I mean, you truly are a good person-"

"I am not!" Kagura cut her off, "I am NOT a good person! I am a demon, and a slave to Naraku! I don't know why I'm acting like this. I should just follow my masters orders but- I can't!" She clenched her fists and was quiet for a moment, as if listening to something Kagome could not hear. "He will know soon that I have disobeyed him, and I will not be able to-" the door opened behind her, cutting her voice off.

Kanna emerged from the shadows of the doorway and looked at Kagura. "Master Naraku wishes to speak to you now."

Casting a sorrowful look at Kagome, Kagura slowly nodded and walked out the door, closing it behind her.

Kanna smiled coldly at Kagome, "Since my sister was unable to carry out our master's simple wishes, I must." She took a couple of steps towards her.

Kagome knew she was in trouble. Using her newly-found magic, she tried to conjure fire to wield at the girl who now approached her. Nothing happened. Panicking, she attempted others: ice, water, thunder, earth. Nothing. 'Oh shit oh shit oh shit!'

Kanna smirked as she watched her attempts, "You are trying in vain, foolish girl. Those chains around your wrists are guards to keep your magic under control. You won't be able to do any spells unless Lord Naraku wishes so!" She laughed and took another step forwards. Kagome, full out panicking now, tried to kick her away. Her foot connected with Kanna's stomach, sending her stumbling a couple of feet away.

A now clearly angered Kanna collected herself and looked at her with anger raging in her eyes, "You will regret that!" Raising her hand, she sent a powerful wave of energy at Kagome.

Kagome let out a scream as the spell hit her body with excruciating pain.

*~*~*

Inu Yasha stiffened and stopped walking suddenly, making Sango and Miroku, who were following him, stop as well.

"What is it Inu Yasha?" Miroku asked, puzzled by his sudden actions.

"Something…somethings wrong with Kagome!" He stuttered out, unable to shake the feeling of dread that had rapidly spread throughout his body.

"What do you mean, somethings wrong with Kagome? How do you know?" Sango questioned.

"I just do! I just sensed it or something"

"So you have already created a bond with that girl?"

All three of them looked towards where the new voice had come from. "Kikyo…" Inu Yasha whispered.

Kikyo stepped out of the woods towards them. "You have already formed a bond with her. Have you really already forgotten me?"

"Kikyo…what are you doing here?" Inu Yasha asked her, not really wanting to see her there, but still feeling drawn to her.

"After all we have been through Inu Yasha, you now care for that girl, that reincarnation of me. How could you betray me again?"

Sango and Miroku stepped a little away from where the two of them were. They knew that Inu Yasha had to handle this on his own.

"I have not forgotten you Kikyo but…you are dead. What we had died 50 years ago when you died and I was pinned to that tree." He tried to not look into her eyes, which seemed to be dragging him nearer, despite his efforts not to.

"Do you think I can let you go after all this time? Do you really think that I will let you go? You promised to accompany me to hell! Will you now break yet another promise to me?"

Inu Yasha looked down, trying to find the words, "Kikyo…I have to. I can't go with you. I-I love Kagome!" he yelled to her, and looked at her again, "I love Kagome! What we had is gone, so just leave us alone!"

Kikyo gasped as he yelled the words. Looking at him through narrowed eyes, she spoke to him coldly. "You WILL come with me Inu Yasha. I am the only one who will ever truly love you, and you I." Her spirit demons came closer and lifted her up so that she began to float. "I will return soon, and you will come with me to hell, Inu Yasha!" with that, Kikyo floated away.

Sighing, Inu Yasha sat down on the ground and thought to himself, 'I can't believe I just did that!'

Seeing as he had obviously forgotten they were there, Miroku snuck up behind him and asked in a lecherous tone, "So…what exactly did happen in the woods last night?"

*wack* Sango's boomerang landed on his head, knocking the grin of his face, as well as his body to the ground. Turning to Inu Yasha, she asked, "Shall we continue traveling?"

Inu Yasha nodded and stood up. Now more than ever they needed to hurry to save Kagome.

"Ow Sango, can't you take a joke?"

*~*~*

Naraku glanced up from where he was sitting in his room. Sensing a familiar presence, he looked over to where he had felt it. "Well, this is unexpected. What brings you here?" he questioned his visitor.

Kikyo stepped out of the shadows of the hall. "I've come here to offer my assistance to you Naraku."

Naraku smirked, "And why would I want your help?"

Kikyo ignored his comment and continued, "You want Inu Yasha dead, as do I. I also want my soul returned to me. After you are done with the girl, I will regain my soul from her."

"Why would I agree to such a deal? Where is the benefit for me?"

Kikyo was now the one to smirk, "My assistance in the destruction of Inu Yasha, and, Onigumo, my loyalty to you."

Ok! Chapter 11 done! Yeah! (does little victory dance)

Please please please review!