Chapter 20

Kikyo glared at him through the screen. He sighed.

"Come in, Kikyo, my love."

"Done fooling around?" She pointed at Kotarie's small body. He smiled.

"Its all going as planed Kikyo. Kagome will die. Why we haven't thought of this before, I don't know."

Kaugura snorted. Maybe it's because you are a fool. She thought.

"Maybe because you enjoy acting the fool!" Kikyo spat. Kagura smiled. Maybe this Kikyo wasn't such an idiot after all.

"KIKYO! I AM DONE WITH YOUR TALK!" His hand met her at the cheek and she fell to the floor. His eyes were full of fury, his whole body itching to make her scream in pain. How dare she disrespect me? I am a demon. She is humane. I am her master.

"Naraku...I...."

"BE SILENT!" His voice grew softer, even more menacing.

"Do you forget who I am?" He hissed.

"No..no I..."

"Return to your quarters Kikyo, there will be no more of this insolence while I am doing your dirty work."

His mind remembered his pain, she would be his by force if love did not work. Her eyes blazed with her own fire.

"Fool, I will not take much more of this." She made for her room. Men are pawns...demon or humane...you forget who your master is Naraku. I can not afford a useless slave.

Naraku glared at Kagura, as if daring her to test him. She beamed at him and daintily made her way to the door. If she could giggle, she would have done so.

**meanwhile**

"We will make our way then, tomorrow? I have found someone who has information on Kikyo's whereabouts. It seems she came from a village who saw her last."

"Will she take us there?" Kagome looked up at Inuyasha. Not only did this mean that she might die soon, it also meant that Inuyasha would see the outcome. Was he going to turn back?

"No, we know were it is, its very close by," he paused.

"Are you ready for this Kagome?" She looked down. She had made Myroku promise not to interfere unless the horrible happened.

"Yes..." she had been ready a long time.

"The real question is..are you ready Inuyasha?" He looked up.

"Huh?" his brow scrunched. Was he? Didn't he say he would fallow Kikyo to hell if she wished? Yet, what about Kagome? He got up and walked out. He didn't know yet. She sighed. Shippo held up his fist.

"Stupid jerk! He should just choose Kagome and he knows it!" Myroku smiled at his enthusiasm. "It's more confusing then that Shippo."

"It is not! You old people just like things confusing!" Myroku sighed.

"Are life is pretty odd isn't it?" he agreed. Shippo nodded. Kagome smiled.

"Would you want it any other way?" Myroku and Shippo looked at her.

"If my dad hadn't have been murdered I would have never meet you and everyone. I think I don't mind this life." Shippo looked at Myroku. Myroku could relate. In a way, wasn't his father murdered as well? Wasn't he on this quest to kill Naraku more to avenge his father then anything else? Myroku nodded.

"Yes I agree. I really have enjoyed this part in my life with you...among other things." Shippo looked up innocently

"Doing what?" Myroku beamed. Kagome glared.

"Other things." She cut in. She looked down.

"Should we leave and have him catch up...if....if he's coming?"

"One more night wouldn't hurt him." Kagome laughed. Myroku looked at her curiously.

"It might hurt me." She said giggling. Myroku's eyes widened. How many days now?"

"7 weeks, 3 days." Myroku's eyes grew wide and his heart dropped.

"You have 9 days left...." She looked down.

"I know."

**Meanwhile**

Kikyo sat on her bead roll thinking hard. I have 9 days. I am already close to death, I CAN NOT AFFORD TO DIE! She stood up and began to pace. How dare he take so long, how dare he think he is the master. I should kill him now. Kill him and do it myself. She would have been dead. Stupid plan! She punched the wall and brought her hand back, bloody. A demon flew by and her hand healed.

"Basted!" She screamed. "HOW COULD I HAVE TRUSTED YOU!?"

You don't trust men, not even slaves. She had put her life in her slave. Damn him. She was going. She was going to find her tomorrow. Four days early, and if Naraku cared to help, then good, but if he did not, it didn't matter, that girl was as good as dead.