Author's note: Just fyi, miko=priestess, hanyou=half demon, baka=idiot/moron/stupid, and youkai=demon (though I don't know if I used that).

Hokay, I want to thank everyone for reviewing! I'm really sorry it took so long, but it was another one of those: "I know where I want it to go, but how the heck do I START it?" chapters.

Also, just for clarification, I'll review: Yes, Onigumo is now completely out of Ishiyana. He's still evil, but he's Naraku's problem now, lol. There are five shards left in the past: Kouga's two, Kohaku's, Miroku's (he had it in chap 13), and the final shard.

It's all boiling down! Leave reviews! *Special thanks to Jace and animeluvr8. *

Disclaimer: *scream*

*          *          *

Kikyo tilted her face to the sky as an icy wind blew by her. With a soft whine, a soul stealer paused in front of her, then floated away. Frowning softly, Kikyo turned and headed towards the village she once knew so well.

Souls are getting restless. Something is about to happen. Her frown increased, a small worm of unease wriggling its way through her. What could cause such an ominous presence?

*          *          *

Naraku glanced over his shoulder at the hanyou in the distance. Damn him, he's too close. I'll need more time before he catches up with me. He scowled, ignoring a painful thump in his chest.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. You're awfully easy to aggravate, Naraku. I expected better of you.

Shut the hell up.

One hanyou and his double are all it takes to plant doubt in your mind? Are you insecure or something?

Shut. Up.

After all, the double is only a human. Oh wait, but he managed to damage you, didn't he? That weapon of his could become a problem for you. And you realize that stealing the miko will upset them both, right?

Naraku's eyes grew wild with anger. That's the idea, you idiot!! I swear, Onigumo, if you don't quiet down, I'll—

Kagome flipped her hair out of her eyes and glanced up at Naraku. His expression was contorted with anger, and he was mumbling under his breath. Biting her lip, she focused on the giant jewel shard nestled under his jacket.

If I could just get it and throw it back to Inuyasha… Slowly, she reached up, her breath caught in her throat.

"…Expel you and bury you in a pit of fiery lava! Tar and feathers…"

Kagome withdrew her hand slightly. Who is he talking to?? Her eyes widened. Is he actually talking to Onigumo? Taking a deep breath, she started to slip her hand under Naraku's jacket. Maybe since he's distracted, I can—

A hand closed over hers and roughly dragged it away. Yelping in surprise, Kagome glanced up at Naraku's face. A chill raced down her spine.

"Why…you…little…" His enraged gaze locked upon her as he increased the pressure on her hand. She winced, trying to pry her hand away. "I swear," he breathed, his voice rough from barely suppressed anger, "if I didn't need to you get that last shard..."

He tightened his hold on her hand yet again, forcing tears into Kagome's eyes. She bit her lip to keep from crying out. I feel like my bones are going to snap!

Abruptly, Naraku let go of her hand and glanced backwards. At that rate, Inuyasha was going to catch him before he even made it to the well! A low growl rumbled in the demon's chest.

I didn't want to use these yet, but it's the only way to get him off my tail! Naraku reached inside his jacket and pulled out several wooden dolls. Smirking wryly, he dropped them and increased his speed.

"Have fun, Inuyasha."

*          *          *

What the hell are those? Inuyasha squinted at the small objects falling from Naraku. He didn't catch any strange scents from them, so what could—

Fwoom!

Six Naraku puppets exploded into the air, chuckling madly.

"Wh-what the heck??" Ishiyana shouted, gripping Inuyasha's shoulder. With a wavering hand, he leveled the gun at first one, then another Naraku.

"Puppets! Naraku dropped his goddamn puppets to slow us down!!" Gritting his teeth, Inuyasha tried to pull out Tetsusaiga, but the increased chuckling of the puppets distracted him.

"Not this time, Inuyasha." As one, the puppets released a cloud of roots and stretched them towards the pair.

Inuyasha reached again for his sword, but Ishiyana stopped him.

"We can't waste the time for you to fight. Just keep after Naraku! I'll take these guys out!" Gritting his teeth, Ishiyana took aim and fired at the puppets. Bullet after bullet caught with gold fire and decimated the roots, partially clearing a path for Inuyasha, but every time the hanyou tried to slip through, more roots flew into the way.

"Damn it!" Inuyasha dodged a malicious root, growling as Naraku's image grew fainter. "Aim for the chest, you idiot! The roots grow back!"

"Don't you think I've figured that out??" Ishiyana ducked as a root narrowly swiped by his head. Narrowing his eyes, he carefully lined up a shot…

BLAM!

"Graaaaaagh!"

Raising a fist into the air, Ishiyana shouted his triumph. "All right! I got one!" Grinning, he took aim at a Naraku that had shifted in front of him.

BLAM!

"Raaaaaaaaaah!"

"Yahoo!" Ishiyana fired again and again, finally clearing a path for Inuyasha. The Narakus growled in frustration and began winding about each other, roots crisscrossing in the air. Inuyasha continued going straight ahead, watching with a grudging respect as the Narakus were decimated.

Laughing, Ishiyana gripped the other boy's shoulder. "Man, now I know why the Americans find cowboys so entertaining!"

BLAM!

"Yippee-ki-yay, you son of a—"

"Will you PLEASE get a grip??" Inuyasha resisted the urge to throw the moron off his back. At least he's clearing a path. At this rate, I might still be able to catch up to—

FWOOM!

Another batch of Narakus sprang to life before them, forming a barricade. Giving up all pretension of being the real Naraku, the puppets hissed and snarled at the pair. Their roots formed a tangled mass in the air, and the white baboon furs ducked and dodged around each other. Grinning, Ishiyana took aim again.

"Just keep going, Inuyasha. I'll blast a hole through them!"

"You'd better!" Inuyasha ground his teeth as he approached the writhing Narakus. The real Naraku is pulling away from us!

Their low chuckle filled the air as the roots started to wrap around them. Inuyasha ducked and dodged around the roots, narrowly avoiding them as he approached the wall of bodies. His brow furrowed as he saw the roots wind back around once he passed them.

If we don't get through this line, the puppets will have us surrounded! Inuyasha glanced back at his reincarnation.

"You ready??"

"Ready!" Ishiyana started to tighten his finger on the trigger. A group of Narakus banded together in front of them, chuckling as they released a cloud of roots in the boys' direction.

"Now!"

"I'm on it!!"

Click… Click…

"…Uh oh."

*          *          *

Naraku smiled as his puppets enveloped the boys. He dropped his last few a small distance away.

"That should give me the time I need." Chuckling, he shifted his grip on Kagome, ignoring her increased struggles.

"You jerk!! What are you doing to them??" The gunshots had really worried her, but the sudden silence worried her even more. All she could see was Naraku dropping puppets, but how were the boys faring against them?

Please, gods, please don't let Inuyasha get hurt. Please! She closed her eyes, then opened them and glared at Naraku.

"I swear, Naraku, if anything happens to them—"

"You needn't worry about that. After you fetch me the final shard, all of you will meet in Hell." His grin grew as he stared off into the distance. "Take some comfort in that, at least."

"What makes you think I'm going to—"

"Go to sleep." Naraku released a small cloud of miasma in her face, effectively knocking her out. In a short time, he arrived at the shrine and touched down in front of the well house. Blinking, he scowled at the clear air. What happened to all the miasma?

What do you think? The girl purified it. Moron.

I told you to SHUT UP!

What, am I supposed to twiddle my thumbs while you try to obliterate my soul? Fat chance! I'll do whatever it takes to screw you up.

Don't you DARE—

I picked up a song this time around. Care to hear it?

NO.

I know a song that gets on everybody's NERVES! On the last word, Naraku's heart twisted so hard that it drove him to his knees in pain.

Everybody's NERVES!

"Yaah!"

Everybody's NERVES!

Rising unsteadily to his feet, Naraku pulled out a hive of the Saimyousho and released a few of the insects. Within moments, they returned the jewel shards he had planted in the gangsters.

"Feh. Useless." Frowning, he fused the shards with the giant fragment. "They barely absorbed any negative energy at all!" Will the jewel still work properly?

As Naraku musingly walked towards the well, the shards in his possession glittered and pulsed. A strange wind came up from behind him and blew into the well house, howling emptily in the dark well.

*          *          *

Sango glanced up from her contemplation of the river when Miroku sprung to his feet.

"Is something wrong?"

Miroku frowned thoughtfully. "No, I don't think so…" He started wandering back into the village.

"Where are you going?" When he didn't reply, she stood and began to follow him. A frown settled on her face. This isn't like him. What's going on?

Miroku placed a hand over the shard in his cloak. It pulsed softly, pulling him into the village.

Strange, the jewel has never acted on its own accord before. Why would it do so now, unless…? His eyes widened, and he increased his pace.

…Unless Naraku is returning?

*          *          *

Naraku paused before he jumped into the well. If I know that hanyou, those puppets won't delay him for long. I'd better leave him something extra.

Grasping the jewel tightly, Naraku concentrated on a demon deep inside him. After a moment, he managed to move it towards his arm. His hand bulged and darkened, pulsing madly. With a grunt, Naraku released the demon.

"I knew it was a good idea to envelop you. After all, you were the best that idiot had to offer." He braced himself over the well. "Do whatever you can to stop the half demon and his double."

The black mass hissed in reply and began to take form. A low whine snuck out of its depths and rose in pitch, continuing until it resembled a laugh. Two green eyes appeared, glinted, and narrowed.

"Yesssss, Lord Narrrrrrrrrrrakuu…"

A wry smile on his face, Naraku leapt through the well.

*          *          *

Inuyasha yelled in frustration as three Narakus smothered and squeezed him with their roots, yanking him and Ishiyana apart. If he could just get his arm free…

"Dammit, I thought you had this covered!!" Inuyasha scowled in concern as Kagome's scent grew fainter. Bracing his feet on the chest of one Naraku, he managed to push himself away as several spikes plunged down. He hissed in pain as a few caught him in the side.

Ishiyana tried to reply, but a slim root wrapped around his neck and tightened. Gasping for air, he tried to free a hand to pry the root away, but he couldn't do it. His vision became hazy.

"I…Inu…"

Inuyasha twisted his head to see the other boy get pulled further away. Scowling, he increased his effort to get an arm free.

"Dammit, don't you die on me!" His eyes narrowed, and he added under his breath, "At the very least, Kagome'll kill me if you do." Finally, he managed to slip a hand free. Dipping his claws in a small, newly formed scratch, he smirked.

"Blades of blood!!" The roots around him slackened, giving him enough leeway to rip out Tetsusaiga. His grin grew.

"Ha! Eat THIS! WIND SCAR!!"

The Narakus in front of him barely had time to yell before they were enveloped in the yellow light. Now free, Inuyasha spun around, landed briefly, and launched himself towards Ishiyana. The boy's eyes widened as he watched the big sword come closer.

He'd better not miss! His vision darkening from lack of air, Ishiyana squeezed his eyes shut.

"H-raaaaah!" With a well-aimed swing, Inuyasha took out the Naraku grasping Ishiyana's neck. As the boy started to fall backwards, Inuyasha swung at the remaining Narakus around them.

"Wind Scar!!"

They screeched as they were blown away. Quickly sheathing his sword, Inuyasha snagged Ishiyana's arm and swung the boy onto his back. Ishiyana gasped for air, the color returning to his face.

"Thanks…Inuyasha."

"What the hell happened back there?? I thought you said you were going to take them out!"

Ishiyana lifted his head from its slumped position on Inuyasha's shoulder. "I would have, but I ran out of bullets!"

Inuyasha shook his head, heading in Naraku's direction. "Great, just great. Thanks to you, Naraku's practically gotten away!"

"You think I wanted that to happen?? I care about her, too!"

"Don't remind me," Inuyasha grumbled under his breath. Just hang on, Kagome. I'm coming!!

*          *          *

Naraku paused outside the well, glancing around at the clear fields. He frowned.

Dammit, where is Kagura? She should have arrived here by now. Walking out into the clearing, he threw the girl to the ground.

"Oomph!" Kagome pried her eyes open. "Wh-what…?" Suddenly, her situation dawned on her, and she jumped to her feet.

"Ok, buster, start explaining! What do you want with me??"

Naraku narrowed his eyes at her. "You should know that by now."

She rolled her eyes, planting her hands on her hips. Weird. Why aren't I scared? "I know, you need me to find the last shard. But why do you need me to get the last shard??"

"You may be a worthless human, but you still have something I don't." He stepped closer, looming over her. Swallowing, Kagome took a step back.

"I need your miko sight."

"What??" She steeled her spine. "You think I'm going to just tell you where it is? Even if I knew, I wouldn't—"

A flash of anger swept across his face, effectively shutting her up.

"You'll get the shard for me, and you'll do it willingly." He lifted a hand, taking another step closer. Kagome resisted the urge to step back from him. "However, your current level of ability is not where I need it."

He placed his hand on her head and smiled, sending a chill down her spine.

"Let me fix that for you."

With those words, he sent a powerful punch of demonic energy straight into her core.

Screaming, Kagome waved her arms like a madwoman. Her very soul howled in denial, rejecting the demonic energy.

No! No!! I can't let him do this!! Her thoughts scrambled as an elemental part of her being stirred to life. I can't let him corrupt me!! I can't!!!

Her eyes went white.

I CAN'T!!!

Her body erupted with purple light, and a soothing calm swept over her. The demon energy evaporated. Slowly, Kagome closed her eyes and reopened them. Naraku's smile widened.

Her irises were violet.

"Now then. The last shard?"

Kagome blinked at him, her hair waving gently in her purple aura. A soft smile settled upon her lips.

"You really are a fool, Naraku." She turned away and started to walk through the woods at a languid pace. Frowning, Naraku followed.

Kagome continued to smile, feeling cosmically at peace. I understand everything now. I know what Kikyo was trying to do when she betrayed us. Her aura bent back a branch as she walked, snapping it back into Naraku's face. She ignored his growl of impatience. He's too evil to simply destroy. He'll always exist in some form. The only way to get rid of him…

…Is to purify him with the jewel itself.

Kagome followed the tug of the final jewel shard, coming to a stop before the place where her life had taken such a drastic turn.

The God Tree.

Closing her eyes, she placed a hand upon the rough bark of the tree, running her fingers over the worn spot where Inuyasha's body had lay pinned for half a century.

"Of course," she murmured, opening her eyes. "It makes sense, since everything else stems from this."

"It's here?" Naraku frowned and stepped forward. "Impossible. Why can't I sense it?" With a scowl he lifted his hand, obviously preparing to decimate the tree.

"I wouldn't do that, Naraku."

He paused, glancing at her. Her calm, violet gaze rested on him.

"Why not?" he ground out.

"The shard is here…but it's not. If you damage the tree, you'll never find it." She chuckled softly at his barely contained frustration and turned back to the tree.

She had once learned that the tree was a Time tree. Because it stood testament to so many eras, it had gained the power to link them. The Warring-States Era and the present were only two moments in this tree's life, but there were so many more. The tree knew so much more.

…Hid so much more.

Smiling, she shook her head. No wonder she had never felt the shard before.

It was trapped in Time.

With a sigh, Kagome leaned against the tree, feeling the presence of the shard as well as the spirit of the tree itself.

You have guarded it long enough. Please let me in. The struggle is almost over.

Wind sighed through the branches of the tree, and a low moan welled up from its roots. At the point of contact with Kagome, the tree began to shimmer with a white glow. After a moment, the glow spread, expanding from her fingertips to the furthest reaching leaves and down into its roots.

Eyes wide, Naraku took a step back as the ground beneath him began to glow, watching as bolts of white raced down the unseen roots in every direction, even all the way…

…To the well.

Miroku burst into the clearing in time to see white light envelop the Bone Eater's Well, Sango close behind him. The shard in his cloak vibrated, warmth radiating from it. He closed a hand over it and pulled it out, staring wide-eyed as a tiny aura pulsed into him.

It…it can't be…He stared into the forest.

A howling wind swirled up from Kagome's feet, every crack in the tree's bark protesting. Barely audible voices whipped around and around the tree, voices of pain and love from eras past and present. Closing her eyes, Kagome leaned her weight on the tree…

…And stepped right into it.

*          *          *

Inuyasha landed in the middle of the shrine and scowled as Ishiyana piled off his back. Glancing around, he unsheathed Tetsusaiga.

"Naraku's already gone through the well, but…" He paused and sniffed at the air.

"But what?"

"We're not alone."

A high chuckle rumbled out of the darkened well house. Heavy feet thumped to the doorway, and two blaring green eyes laughingly peered out at him. A large black face slowly poked out of the entry.

Crinkling his nose, Inuyasha readied his sword. "Figures. I thought Naraku destroyed all the Kitlings!"

The giant cat giggled. "Not me! Lord Naraku decided to keep me around. He said I was exceptional!" Letting out a high, laughing shriek, the Kitling hopped out of the building and perched on its hind legs, its massive front paws curled against its chest. "He left me the honor of destroying you!!"

Inuyasha snorted. "Yeah, right." Ears twitching, he glanced back to see Ishiyana stoop down and pick up a fallen gun.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Silently, Ishiyana released the empty clip from his gun and let it fall to the ground, replacing it with the partially loaded clip from the gun on the ground.

"Inuyasha…" He glanced up, his eyes stern. "Go get Kagome. I'll deal with this."

"Are you nuts? After what happened last time?" His eyes narrowed. "Are you trying to be a hero?"

Ishiyana scowled at him. "Look, these things know all your moves. You couldn't even lay a finger on it the night I arrived in the Feudal Era." He leveled his gun on the grinning menace. "Kagome needs you. Go after her!"

Inuyasha hesitated, then slid his sword into its sheath. "You really are a goody-two-shoes, aren't you?"

Ishiyana smirked. "I pride myself on that." If Kagome's in half as much danger as I think she is, Inuyasha's the only one who can save her. Much as I want to be her knight in shining armor…

…Inuyasha'll just have to fill the job.

Shaking his head, he fired a shot at the Kitling, purposely not sending his own aura into the bullet. When the creature dodged, the bullet merely lodged itself in the wall of the building (instead of blowing it apart).

"Go, Inuyasha!!"

Immediately, Inuyasha sprung for the well, slipping past the Kitling as it roared and turned towards him. Running to the side of the building, Ishiyana fired again at the creature, driving it away.

"Forget him. I'm your opponent!"

Hissing, the creature charged him. Ishiyana threw himself to the side, watching as Inuyasha's hair disappeared into the well.

Good luck, buddy.

*          *          *

Kagome pushed through the white world surrounding her, the air pushing gently back like silky wisps of cotton candy. Her breathing slightly labored, she reached out to grasp the jewel shard. It winked and shivered in midair, trembling as Kagome's hand closed about it.

Immediately, Kagome felt a sigh of relief float through the air, and she smiled.

"I promise everything will work out."

The air shuddered in reply.

Steeling her spine, Kagome turned back to the evil presence awaiting her, but her body abruptly froze. Her eyes widened as a scene flashed before her eyes, its outcome nearly forcing tears to her eyes. Slowly, she gazed down at the shard in her palm.

"So that's what my dream was about," she murmured.

Kagome.

Blinking, she glanced over her shoulder. Far off in the distance, she could just barely sense a familiar half-demonic presence.

"Inuyasha…"

All the moments they'd shared together flashed before her eyes. She could see Inuyasha yelling at her, staring at her, rescuing her, and holding her. Suddenly, Kagome found herself forcing her way through the mist, trying to reach him. The jewel shard warmed in her hand, almost as if it was trying to reassure her.

If things don't work out the way I planned, I could lose him forever! Just in case, I need to talk to him. He needs to know how I feel about him.

…He needs to know I love him.

*          *          *

Inuyasha blinked as the normally blue light of time travel went white. His stomach lurched as he felt his body grind to a halt in midair.

What the… What the heck is going on?? Swallowing a wave of nausea, Inuyasha looked around the empty space. Where am I??

"Inuyasha."

His breath caught as Kagome slowly walked into view, her hair and clothes floating about her. She smiled softly, her hands closed tight about something.

"K…K…" Inuyasha swallowed and tried again to force words out of his throat. "Kagome, what's going on? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Inuyasha, but I needed to tell you something." She shimmered, her purple aura drifting about her. Inuyasha's eyes watered slightly at the sight of her, and he absently brushed at them.

"What? What do you need to tell me?"

She hesitated, biting her lip. "Well, I…" At that moment, she felt a pulse of evil energy behind her, and she glanced back in concern. She didn't see anything. Swallowing hard, she took another step forward.

"Inuyasha…you care about me, right?"

"Wh-What?" He blushed, fisting his hands in embarrassment. "Where the hell did that come from??"

"I… Inuyasha, I…" Her eyes shimmered with tears. Inuyasha started to panic.

"What? You have a problem with me??" When she didn't reply, he felt all his old defenses rise into place. "If you do, spit it out!"

"Inuyasha!" Frowning, she started to speak, but at the look on his face, she lost her nerve. Swallowing, she tried another tack.

"I…I know what the outcome of this battle is going to be. You have to believe in me, Inuyasha. If you don't have faith in me…" Her eyes lowered. "You must have faith in me, or we might lose everything."

"What are you talking about??" His gut churned at the finality in her tone. "I'm going to protect you, so there's no need for you to—"

"I know that, Inuyasha." A sad smile settled on her face. "But that's not what I'm asking you. Do you trust me?"

Uneasiness and embarrassment wriggled through him. "Wh-why the hell would you ask me that?"

"I don't have the time, Inuyasha. I need to use this…" She opened her hands, revealing the final jewel shard. His jaw dropped.

"Where did you get that??"

"I'll explain later!" She made as if to step closer, but she remained the same distance away. "I have a plan, and I'll need to use the jewel, but you have to promise me you won't lose faith in me!! I know what's going to happen, Inuyasha, but I can't stop it unless you…"

She trailed off, tears shimmering anew in her eyes. Inuyasha's heart pounded in his chest.

"I do have faith in you, Kagome, but I don't understand why you're asking! What's going to happen?"

She closed her eyes, a single tear streaking her cheek. "You'll see." She opened them again. "Promise me!"

"I…I promise!" Why are you talking like you're about to die?? "Kagome, please, tell me what's going on!"

She didn't answer.

"Kagome!" Gritting his teeth, Inuyasha forced his way to her, closing his hands about her shoulders. She stared up at him in surprise.

"Don't talk like that, Kagome. I'm not going to lose you, so don't go sacrificing yourself!!" Heart pounding, he pulled her close, pressing her face into his chest. Closing his eyes, he buried his face in her hair. To hell with embarrassment!

"If you think I'm going to stand aside and let you die, you're twice as dumb as I thought! You…you mean too much to me for you to just leave me here…" He trailed off as her arms wrapped tightly around his waist and squeezed. His blush burned brighter, and he gently tipped her face up. Brows furrowing, he stared at her.

I don't know what's going on here, but no way can I let her do something crazy. If she wants a confession, then…then I'll… Swallowing, he rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes.

"We've been in this too long together to give up now. No matter what it takes, Kagome, I'm going to protect you from Naraku. You have to hang on until then, you hear me?? I…" He cleared his throat. "I care a lot about you, and if it costs me my life, you're going to get through this safely!"

He pulled her away and glared down at her.

"So don't you dare die!!"

Her eyes widened, and, courage swelling in her heart, Kagome let her face blossom into a warm smile. She chuckled softly. "You know, Inuyasha, I always wanted to tell you something."

The glimmer in her eyes nearly made his heart stop. "Wh-what?"

A blush staining her cheeks, she gently laid a hand upon his cheek and rose to her tiptoes, breathing into his ear.

"I—"

At that moment, a dark cloud blasted between them and ripped her away, flinging Inuyasha back. He stared as she disappeared into the white light, struggling all the way.

"Kagome!! No!!"

The white world surrounding him suddenly disappeared, and he landed roughly at the bottom of the well. He could smell both Kagome and Naraku nearby.

Stomach churning with dread, he leapt out of the well.

"Kagome, hang on!! KAGOME!!"