Disclaimer: Don't own anything

Sorry I didn't update yesterday. Must have seemed weird since I update multiple times a day. Well I had work and writer's block. But here's today's update.

Chapter 11 - The Brightest Star

Inuyasha led Kagome through the corridor out of the Lair of the Stars and made his way towards the entrance hall. Kagome clutched his arm as they navigated the tight turns and narrow hallways. As they walked down the stairs Inuyasha saw a figure crawling ahead of them in the dark. He made Kagome stop and motioned for her to stay put. He crept ahead, claws bared, ready to strike. When he was within two feet of the figure he leapt forward and grabbed it by it's neck. Lifting it up to the light he revealed the figure to be Kouga. Kagome ran forward out of worry for her friend. They could both see that he was breathing heavily and was clutching his chest right over his heart.

"Don't…don't go out the main door. Her entire guard is there waiting for you. There's another way…follow…me" Kouga panted out through labored breaths. Kagome looked up at Inuyasha for his reaction. He nodded, and they both helped Kouga to his feet, lending their bodies for support as he pointed the direction to go. The trio headed into another dark corridor, and hopefully a safer way out.

"What do you mean you can't find her!"

Miroku slid away from Sango. He knew what she was like angry, and he didn't want to be on the receiving end of her frustration.

"Sango, everyone has searched everywhere. It's as if she's vanished."

"But the footsteps around her tent…"

"Belong to no human." Sesshomaru finished. He walked towards the pair shaking his head. "Or at least any normal human. They belong to Inuyasha's human form."

"How do you know?" questioned Sango peering up at the demon prince.

"Inuyasha is extremely vulnerable in his human state. Ever since he was a child, father trained him on how to protect himself in his weaker form, while I pretended to be the enemy. We'd track, fight, etc. Plus last night was the new moon. Wherever Lady Kagome is, she is with my brother. Whether that is a good thing I'm not so sure."

"Why would you say that?" Sango thought their goal was to find Inuyasha.

"I understand what he means." answered Miroku. "Kikyo wouldn't just let Inuyasha out of the palace. And since he was in his human form, it would have been incredibly difficult for him to escape without his powers."

"So that means…"

"Yes Lady Sango, it seems my brother has kidnapped Lady Kagome again."

Inuyasha and Kagome had to stop again to allow Kouga to rest. Their progress was going painstakingly slow. With every rest Kagome's anxiety grew. Why hadn't they run into anyone yet? Surely all of Kikyo's men weren't still waiting outside?

Kouga motioned that he was ready, and the pair lifted him up again. They all started shuffling down the hall again, this time a door within view. Inuyasha looked around him. This hallway looked oddly familiar, but he couldn't remember the last time he walked this way. Kagome handed Kouga over to Inuyasha completely, and walked up to the door. Grasping the metal rung firmly, she pulled open the door with all their might, only to find a smiling Kikyo on the other side.

Kagome tried to jump back as quickly as she could, but Kikyo was too fast for her. Grabbing her wrist she yanked Kagome towards her, shutting the door between them and the two princes.

Inuyasha dropped Kouga to the floor and started pounding on the door.

"There's no point." Kouga stated as he stood up. "Kikyo will have her soul, and her Shikon will be complete."

Inuyasha turned around to face the smirking Kouga. Kouga smiled and simply stated, "goodbye." Inuyasha's eyes widened as the wolf prince disappeared before him, leaving only sand-like crystal in his place. The fate of a soul-less form.

Kagome tried to wrench her arm from Kikyo's grasp, but there was no point. Her iron grip just pulled harder as Kikyo's nails dug into Kagome's wrist, causing blood to fall.

"There's no point." Kagome tried to state bravely. "Inuyasha has his soul back. You'll never be able to get him."

"Tsk tsk tsk. You forget that you held a part of his soul. Yes you did restore that. I still have the rest."

Kagome tried to think of anything else to make Kikyo stop. She couldn't come up with anything. The two girls could hear the wooden door pound as Inuyasha tried to break through.

"Fool, doesn't he realize there's a barrier on it?" Kikyo just sighed and continued to drag Kagome. "This spot will do nicely, now Kagome do me a favor and sit still. Trust me, it'll hurt a lot less…"

Kikyo grabbed Kagome by the hair and yanked her to the floor. Keeping one hand firmly planted in Kagome's hair she placed her other hand on Kagome's chest. Kagome screamed as she clawed at Kikyo's arms with her nails, trying to no avail to make her stop. Kikyo's eyes widened and she started laughing. "YOU'RE MINE!"

Kikyo pulled back her hand grasping the glowing orb between her fingers. Kagome's body slumped to the ground. Kikyo placed the orb within the jewel, and waved her hand towards the door. Inuyasha ran in only to find Kagome's lifeless body. Kikyo wouldn't stop laughing.

"You're too late. The jewel is finished. Power is mine. First to dispose of your friends, and then, the four realms will be mine." All Inuyasha could do was hold Kagome as tightly as he could. He had failed her.

Hearing Kikyo stop laughing and gasp, he snapped his head up to find the jewel glowing fiercely, and then stop.

"No, no, I don't understand!" Kikyo and Inuyasha watched the light of Kagome's soul float out of the jewel and disappear into the air.

"Where is it!" Inuyasha demanded.

Kikyo slumped down to the floor and began to hit it as hard as she could. Inuyasha laid Kagome down and grabbed Kikyo by the shoulders shaking her as hard as he could.

"Where is Kagome's soul!"

"In the lair…with the rest of them." With that said Inuyasha dropped Kikyo and reached out for Kagome once again. Holding her tightly to his chest he took off for the Lair of the Stars. How he was going to figure out which one was hers he'd worry about later.

Once they entered the room he decided finding her soul would be no problem. It was floating in the middle of the room, glowing more brightly than it had done in the jewel. It was the brightest star he had ever seen.