Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and co. but someday I might!

*Sorry it took this while to update, but I had a lot of things to get done for school lately. I've found little bits of time though to complete this chapter. So far, it is the longest chapter for this story I have ever written!*

Chapter 17

"Hey guys!" Kagome shouted over the hill top over looking the village, waving furiously. Kaede looked up from her garden and smiled.Shippo ran up immediately and jumped into Kagome's arms.and Sango and Miroku came walking out.and little visitor sitting on Sango's shoulder.

"Nice to see you returned my lady." Myoga bowed shortly, staring up at the young miko.

"I see you finally decided to return." Kagome replied sarcastically, after hugging the little fox in her arms. "How's everything been?" She asked allowing Shippo to climb up on her shoulder and take his favorite seat next to her ear.

"Fine.fine." Replied Kaede, clambering slowly up the hill. "How have ye been Kagome?"

"Fine."

"You're back earlier than you expected. Did things go well for you?" Asked Miroku, holding his golden rod as usual in his hand.straight towards the sky.

"Yes.they did. I finished everything I needed to finish a lot sooner than I thought I would." Kagome smiled. Then she realized that the usually agitated hanyou hadn't been there to argue with her like he usually did about her leaving.

"Where's Inuyasha?" She asked.glancing around.

"He left a little while ago." Sango replied. "With Kojika I think. She said she had things she wanted to talk about."

"Oh." Kagome whispered, staring at the ground. Hopefully there wasn't anything too close and special about the hanyou and his mentor.she couldn't bare two rivals for the same man.

"Kagome!" Came a voice from behind. Instinctively, Sango latched the boomerang on her back, ready to attack, and Miroku pulled out his staff, standing in front of Kaede.

Kagome spun, recognizing the person running up the side of the hill.waving her hand in a wide arc over her head. "Kagome!" She shouted once more.

Sango and Miroku lowered their weapons, staring at the young girl running towards them.

They were surprised that she didn't wear a kimono like everyone else in the village.

"Jole!" Shouted Kagome, closing the distance between her and the little girl. Jole was huffing heavily. Kagome noticed instantly that there was something wrong.

"Jole.what's wrong? What happened?" She asked.but her answer came blazing in a whirl wind towards them, spinning faster than a tornado could.

"That was chasing me!" Shouted Jole.

"Get behind me!" Kagome told her, taking her most powerful and overpowering stance.

She already knew who it was that had scared Jole so.

"Kouga!" She shouted. The whirl wind came to about five feet away.before stopping.producing the wolf youkai.

"Kagome!" He jumped with glee.running up to grab her hands happily. "You're back! I thought the well had eaten you!" Kagome smiled.trying to push the wolf's affections away without hurting his feelings.

"Kouga.why did you chase her?" Kagome asked, becoming stern once more.

"Chase who?" He inquired.

Kagome stepped out of the way only a little, making sure there was a barrier between the eager wolf and the petrified little girl.

"Oh her." Kouga mumbled. "She got in my way when I was coming to find you. I didn't realize she was in front of me." He replied.

"Then apologize." She returned.

"Do I have to?" Kouga asked, beginning to growl.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Just say you're sorry Kouga."

"No."

"Fine. Goodbye Kouga." She'd learned to black mail the wolf into doing things for her by now. He wouldn't go away.and he wouldn't give up.so she had no other alternative.

"Sorry." Kouga mumbled.looking away.

"Thankyou." Kagome nodded. Then she turned to her cousin, who had by now.stopped shivering. "Jole, this is Kouga. He's a friend of mine here. Say hi." Jole came out around Kagome and stuck out her hand, first shy, then fearless. The wolf stared at it a moment, before taking it and shaking. "Kouga.this is my cousin Jole. Now maybe you'll stop scaring her witts away. By the way." She turned back to Jole. "Why did you follow me?"

Jole held up her hand.holding the thin vile of shikon shards.

"You left them behind. I came to bring them back." She said.

Kagome smiled. "I meant to leave them behind Jole. It keeps demon's away from them most times." Remembering the Noh mask.she shivered.

"Sorry." Jole replied.and just as Kagome was beginning to feel the tiniest bit sorry for not telling her.her cousin broke from her shyness and immediately started introducing herself to Kaede, Miroku, Shippo, and Sango.

She jumped when she spotted Myoga sitting on Sango's shoulder.

"Hello little lady." He replied.

She didn't like him from the start.and just as Kagome and Inuyasha did most times when the flea had given them an excuse, she plucked him off the pink kimono top Sango wore and squished him between her thumb and finger.letting him float softly to the ground.

"Hi flea." She replied.stepping by. Five minutes later.Kagome had placed her backpack inside the hut, and had come out.expecting to tell her young cousin to go home, for this was no place for some one so young and inexperienced with this time as she was.

She never got the chance however.she only just witnessed Inuyasha come jogging over the ridge.Tetsusaiga out.looking for something.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome shouted.but receiving no reply. He seemed not to see her. She was ready to yell again.when she noticed trees jumping in a day where there was no wind to be had.and leaves falling in clumps. Then she sensed the slight twang of a Shikon shard in the area.one.two.three all together.

There was a demon around.

"Miroku, Sango, there's three shikon shards in the area. Get ready.Kaede, I need a bow and a quiver of arrows, and Jole to be taken in side and protected."

Kaede nodded and pressed the young girl into the hut, only stepping out once more with Kagome's long bow and her quiver.

"Thanks." Kagome replied, glancing around. Hadn't Kojika gone with Inuyasha? Where was she now?

"Kagome!" Inuyasha shouted, jumping down just in time to slash the ground, where a demon had supposedly just landed. He didn't hit his mark however.although Kagome didn't know how she knew this.

"What's wrong Inuyasha?" asked Miroku, surveying the area. "Where's Kojika?"

"We were attacked." Replied Inuyasha.and Kagome only just barely caught the glimpse of fresh red blood leaking for his hoari, at his left arm. He was fighting hard not to show any pain in his expression.

"By what?" Asked Sango, quickly abandoning her peasant kimono for her exterminator garb.

"I don't know." Inuyasha replied, standing in front of Kagome protectively, Tetsusaiga before him, prepared to attack. "Kojika's fighting with them now."

And it was evident. There were branches falling from nearby trees and pieces of ground erupting. Every now and then they would feel a brush of unnatural wind made from an attack or gesture.but not for a long while did they see whoever was fighting.or who was winning. Finally though, the group was able to see the fighters as they slowed down and took stances adjacent to each other. Kojika landed about ten feet in front of Inuyasha, seeming to protect them in a conserved sort of way.

Before her.landed two fighters.one female and one male.

The female displayed bright red locks of silk like hair.that danced before pink eyes like dandelions in the wind. She wore a short cut kimono with large sleeves and large bottoms.but a cross over design on the front displayed that she pinned her jacket closed with special silver pins. Her feet were covered in sandals, tied tightly to her heel. Her lips wore bright red lipstick and her eyes had the appearance of mischief. Her partner, a male a head taller than she.had purple locks of hair, more stern and straighter than hers, and eyes with a befitting light blue texture to them. His apparel was similar to that of what Sesshomaru wore every time they encountered him. Long flowing jacket, with the embroidery of black dragons laced in the fabric, heavy set black pants with a tight catch at the ankle, and fighting slippers, fit for battle. In his hand was a rather thin sword.that looked capable of falling to pieces with a simple strike from the Tetsusaiga.

Kojika had her sword out as well.and huffing.she growled.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.shouting back at the other two.

"Why, Kojika darling.I would think you knew why we were here." Replied the female, smirking. It was she who had the shards.stuffed in her left hand...It had to be her fighting hand.

"Refresh my memory." Kojika replied.re-sheathing her sword.

"Why must we? You know sure enough of your demise." Came the male.

"Yakume, Reiko, it would be best you left here.before I am forced to kill you." Kojika replied sternly, staring at them with malevolent eyes.

Neither of the two before her looked worried in the least.

"The elder has asked we finish the work we didn't when you were exiled. We've merely come to finish his desire." Came Reiko, the male.

"Yes.and he has been most generous to us.giving us such power." Acknowledged the female, Yakume, smiling.

"Well.both of you.it would be best you turned your tiny little hides around and went back to your elder.Tell him that if he sends others after me.I will kill them like I did with the guards that tried to stop me from leaving the first time.you understand.?"

Kojika was beginning to growl ferociously like tigers do when they've been hit with something over the head.

"That cannot do Kojika my dear." Came Yakume. "We've been assigned to kill you and that's that. Reiko."

The male stepped up, pulling forth his sword, and the two disappeared, fighting at a speed so fast not even those with demon's eyes could catch them. Inuyasha became more protective.more suspicious of the air around him. He wanted to get Kagome and the others away from the area, but feared that the demons fighting would trample them to death if they dared. And he couldn't exactly help because the demon's fighting were of Kojika's class of fighting.not his.he couldn't even catch their movements at the moment. Plus, he already knew that he was not in a very ample fighting condition, with the large gash at his side. He had tried to hide it from Kagome, so she wouldn't notice it.but somehow.he suspected she had.

How would he protect his friends? Or was this it? Would they never make it to finding Naraku and exacting his revenge.their revenge?

Stop thinking like that Inuyasha! shouted his mind. It's not over yet! Keep with them so you can stop them if they get too close!

He drew farther back, making sure Kagome was well protected, and snapped his eyes around the area, searching for the demons.

Who were these demons? And why were they after Kojika? Had it something to do with her past and her exile? Or was it something else.? Something these creatures feared for some reason.? A secret she'd told no one else.?

He felt the quick spray of dirt thrust up at his feet, and.in the moment of surprise.he was unable to block his eyes.

The tiny particles entered his lids, and.growling, he clawed at them to try to remove them.being careful he didn't hurt Kagome in his attempt.

But he was glad the miko was so very smart.

She snatched his scraping claws from his eyes, and, commanding Shippo to collect a water bottle from her pouch, comforted Inuyasha.telling him to keep calm and stop scratching.

For once he listened to her.but he couldn't for long. Since his eyes were disabled, his ears seemed to become more effective.more in tune with the surroundings. He could hear the swift movements of the fine clothing both demons were dressed in as they fought.could hear the swords clashing and the grunts and growls that came from them as they sped to fighting the other.racing to keep from being stabbed. He could hear the soft chuckles of Yakume, as she watched with darting eyes over the fighters.the only one that knew what was happening.

Inuyasha heard.and this expanded sense helped him this moment.when he sensed Reiko get too close.

He heard the wind rattling around the thin sword the demon possessed, and Kojika's attempts to stop him from completing his attempt.

In a movement of pure instinct, Inuyasha had jumped over Kagome, faster perhaps than that of the demon's fighting.and gagged on a shriek when he felt the sharp jab of the sword dig into his back.left to his spine. Of course.the object didn't remain thrust in his back.it jumped away as soon as Kojika made it to the sight. He could hear her startled growl.and hear her angry snarl.

Kojika was getting mad.

Kagome held Inuyasha in her arms, staring...close to tears.at the thick red spews of blood coming from his back. Shippo had finally come with the water.and turning Inuyasha round on his side gently (so that she didn't get dirt in his wound) she splashed his eyes to clear them of the dirt, and then his wound, to try her best to wash the blood from the red hoari.

Shippo was panting.he had ran as fast as his fox feet could carry him.and still he was too late.Kagome could see that.

She could also see that Sango and Miroku had stepped before them.both of them in a fighting stance they preffered.ready should the demon try to attack again. This was one of those times Kagome was glad she had such loyal, powerful friends on her side.

There was a thick heavy slash heard across the distance, and the two fighters stepped back into visual sight.Kojika and Reiko both panting.but Kojika was smiling.and Reiko was holding a bleeding shoulder.

"You do not touch the others! Do so again.and I will snip more than just your shoulder with my blade and claws." Kojika replied.clicking her nails together as if to add effect. Reiko growled.revealing sharp canine like teeth.

"You forget.you've only had me to fight until now. There is still Yakume you've yet to contend with." He whispered, glancing over at the grinning female demon.

She was clicking her tongue, scraping her nails across her face as if to rid herself of an itch, and then stepped forward.raising the arm the shikon shards were in.

"He's right. I've yet to try my hand at you. Unfortunately, I'm not as fast as my brother here is.so I'll have to fight long distance." Yakume chuckled, and with one swift jump she had landed at least a fourth of a mile away.stretching her hand out before her triumphantly.

"Now you die!" She shouted.forming her fingers as if she was going to grab something.and with a strange energy, she formed five tiny balls of pink light.glittering diabolically. They were growing pink orbs.fast to almost join in each others form. Finally, after she had readied her attack, she fired, sending the orbs together like one giant beam.one powerful blast. She wasn't just aiming at Kojika of course.but everyone else behind her.

Inuyasha wasn't strong enough to move.and he feared that he couldn't protect Kagome this time.

But a miracle helped him away from the blast.

He couldn't see what happened, but when he managed to open his eyes painfully, he saw Kojika hanging over him, staring back at Yakume, a look of disgust in her face.

But he smelt blood.was it Kagome's?

Instinctively, Inuyasha searched for Kagome, and found her sitting up right next to him.not a scratch on her.

Then where was the smell of blood coming from? It wasn't his.he knew his blood all too well. but that would mean.

He took another look at his master.and noticed.in disgust.that her chest had a deep wound.one that went straight through her shoulder. She'd been hit by the laser directly, and was now bleeding thickly.

He tried to whisper her name.to ask if she was alright or close to death.but his voice left him.a thick ball of fear in his throat.keeping his voice at bay.

But what about Miroku and Sango? Had they escaped? One glance past the gaping crater the blast had landed in, told him that Kirara had come into play and had swiftly brushed Miroku, Sango, and Shippo out of the way.

Inuyasha was glad.

But what about Kojika? Could she still fight?

Again he didn't get a chance to try to ask. Yakume was preparing another laser.again aiming it at Kojika.and some how.in her stance.Inuyasha noticed that she was unable to move.that she was held fast with bleeding or fear; he hoped it was only bleeding.

Yakume hadn't let her smile drop.but now Reiko was right next to her.chuckling with delight as he mocked them all for having jumped out of the way so fast.

"Almost as fast as us.but then again.no one can catch us.not even the fabled Kojika!"

Yakume nodded, and once more.she let her energy fly out at them.but there would be no hope this time.

Inuyasha couldn't pick himself up from the ground, Kojika couldn't stand up and attack, and everyone else didn't have the energy.

How would they escape? What miracle would shine it's bright this time?

But there was a miracle.or more like a very bright purple light.

He only caught a slight glimpse of it, as it zipped from behind him.striking the pink light head on.and with a short battle of strength.annihilated the laser and sped straight towards the user.blowing of the hand she had used to attack.

Of course.Yakume had lost her smile.and stood.horrified at the bloody mess where her hand had once been.

Reiko stared at it too, and, angrily, he glared to the direction the attack had come from.

For a moment.Inuyasha thought Kikyo had arrived and saved them.but one look back told him someone else had.someone more powerful.and becoming more skilled.

Kagome was standing stark straight.long bow in her hand.teeth grit together in a dangerous snare.another arrow equipped in the hold of her sleek bow.

"What!? A human girl did this damage!" Reiko snarled, balling his hands into fists.

"Leave here right now Yakume and Reiko.or I swear.it won't just be your hands I blow off!" Shouted Kagome, stretching her arrow farther back in a snip of rage.

"No chance girl!" Shouted Reiko once more, Yakume seeming to surprised to answer on her own.

"Well then! Get ready to lose your heads!" Shouted Kagome, preparing to let her arrow fly. But Kojika didn't let her.the dragon demon stood up before the miko, holding her hand right before the arrow, ensuring that if it were fired, her hand would go with it.

"What?" asked Kagome, staring at the demon.

"No. This is my battle. I won't have you involved." Kojika replied, stepping forward, her hand clasped over her bleeding wound.

"Don't make me mad you two." She said quietly in the demon's direction.

"Why.we've already proven we can beat you any time.anywhere? Why stop now?"

Reiko responded, whipping out his confident smile.

"So you think you've seen all of my abilities eh?" asked the Draymon, beginning to smile herself.

"Maybe." Came Reiko.

"You two. I hate to have to kill you.as young as you are. You were mere newlings when I left.barely even capable of reading a simpleton's mind.and now.with the aid of artificial magic.you hope to beat one who has lived for over a thousand years.who has seen so many battles and learned so many techniques. You think you can beat an ancient Draymon such as I, with these barrowed attacks, and these preternatural abilities. I think you should spend another two hundred years on the Solitude Islands to learn for truth your stupidity." Kojika was beginning to snarl, her fangs glittering brightly in the day light.

"We can take you anytime!" Replied Yakume, finally recovering from her shock. She was no longer staring at her lonely wrist.

Kojika stopped only about ten feet from where they stood, snarling malevolently.

"Fine. Let's see if you can champion a clearer appearance. I doubt you can beat my full Dragon's form.so I'll only give you a taste of the variety of bodies I've learn to transform into."

Kojika raised her hand above her head.seeming to summon something from the sky.and with a quick wisp of wind (the first real breeze all day) the clear blue sky began to disappear behind dark gray clouds. Soon, lightning was blazing from the dreary overhead, and Kojika skin was beginning to take another flash of color.her clothing was morphing.her face was shifting.

A dark mist surrounded her from the feet up.and more lightning was the only light to the area. The villagers had appeared, gathered behind the crater Yakume's blast had left.gawking at the strange happening before them. Even Jole had joined the crowd, just as awestruck as they, maybe even more.

Kagome was beginning to feel fear.she could sense the energy in the mist.the power it held.

It was cold.dark.dreary.the only thing she could feel in her mind was a sharp sensation of ice.as if someone had thrust of Popsicle next to her brain. Something was terribly wrong here.the sweet human like Draymon they thought they knew.wasn't as she seemed.

Finally.after their patience had nearly withered.the mist rose.sweeping around the graceful legs first, revealing white toes with long sharp toenails, the legs wrapped in draped black pants...Then came the waist.revealing many different throwing daggers and one heavily large Katana, the size of a man and most likely just as heavy. Then the arms and chest were revealed, showing the large sleeved top of a fine silk black Kimono.with a silver pin closing the front.and a sharp claw like bracelet wrapping around one of her wrists. Then the neck and lower part of the face was revealed.displaying a graceful neck.with a necklace tight around it.sharp demon talons hanging loosely but dangerously from it. Silver eyes glowed through the mist.leaving a shiver of terror along Kagome's spine.

What had Kojika become?

Finally.the mist had fully disappeared from the head.leaving a long trail of fine shiny silk strands of black hair.strips of silver along it.and a face so well rounded.so serene. There were two braids.one hanging before each ear.and only a smile allowed anyone to know what this knew creature was thinking.what demise was planned from her deceitful mind.

"Now.let's get things really started."

*What do you think so far? Give me reviews.I have to get this fight under way.and hopefully I'll get it written this weekend, so if it seems to be late.blame it on the evil homework!*