Ah, yes, I JUST Realized that FF doesn't do the italics or bolds--so, as soon as I can fix Chap one, I will. For now tho, thank you for still being patient with all that confusing rabble. Hopefully this will be easier to read. Danke, and enjoy!!

Naraku spun from his macabre shelf lined with the hearts of his followers-- his followers: his victims. Along the wall were lined those precious keys to life...yet one was missing.

"Kukuku, so you couldn't catch up to me, could you, Kagura. Not that it would matter if you had..."

His lips curved into a sadistic smile as he gave the ruins of heart in his hand another squelch. He gazed at its bloody surface, no longer pumping out of habit; it was shut down, darkened—dead. He watched in disgust as the blood dripped from his fingers, and he threw it from him. Turning to the cave's entrance, he stalked his way out with a smile growing on his face. Next, he thought. Next, will be my dear Kohaku. But I have better ways to do that... He motioned with his fingers as though he ripped something from the air. Your Shikon Shard keeps you alive at my will. Your hesitancy in killing in my presence gave you away, young fool. But there may still be use for you yet...

He reached the exit and grinned wider, donning his baboon suit and mask. "Yes, Kohaku, there may still be use for you yet..."

Sesshomaru only had to go a short distance till he reached the clearing. There, at the edge, lay someone's crumpled form wearing a kimono....a kimono just like Kagura's. So it was her, he thought. He watched as the lazy airborne seeds of flowers floated their way across the ground. What was she doing all the way out here? Rin and Jaken were both peering around from behind the shelter of his legs, until Rin's eyes widened with comprehension. She slipped from his shadow and dashed toward the prone form.

"Oh, is that—"

"Lord Sesshomaru, that is the demoness Kagura in Naraku's service!! Was she the figure from above?"

Sesshomaru slowly walked across the clearing, nearing her stricken form. He gazed down at her face as Jaken continued. "But she was a traitor to her lord! You should not trust her Lord Sesshomaru!!!"

Sesshomaru bent down and gently rolled her to face him. His impassive eyes darkened as he stared into her lifeless ones. So...she is...

Rin's eyes began to fill with tears. "Oh, poor Kagura! She was so good at heart!"

Jaken spun to her. "Feh, young one, you know so little. This Kagura was a servant of that fool Naraku and she betrayed him!! She was no good, look where she ended up, eh!"

"But she cared for Lord Sesshomaru!"

"Nonsense—you dream up the nonsense of a naive young girl! That Jewel of Youki was given to master only because she knew he was powerful and could destroy the enemy with one swing, thus saving her own life. She used him!!"

"Oh Jaken, you know that's just not true! You've seen how she looks at him, too, Jaken!"

Sesshomaru stood and left them bickering, enveloped in his own thoughts. So, Kagura, Naraku found you out. And since you are not visibly wounded...that means...he must have kept your heart much in the same way he has removed his own. He looked down at the beautiful face again, and felt himself sickened. That coward. How long did he use you in his sick games... He watched her for a moment more, dimly aware of Rin and Jaken babbling by her side. He could feel something stirring in him...something he had never wanted to feel, but had been awakened in his heart since Rin. That feeling that not only she made him feel but also... He shook his head, trying to remove the thoughts so unlike him, but they thrust themselves back unto him. The feeling came on stronger again...but there was something different about it—something that made it different from the way it responded to Rin. He sighed, gazeing at the demoness. Kagura, you were brave. Brave to stay in fight him as long as you did. His eyes continued to bore into her face, then, without a word, he swept her up, cradling her dead form with his one good arm. Rin and Jaken instantly stopped their argument to stare at him.

"M-Master Sesshomaru!"

"A proper burial, at least, Jaken. Come."

He turned and entered the forest once more, followed by his companions, but they had not entered three feet when another aerial shadow enveloped them. Flicking his eyes upward, Sesshomaru caught a glimpse of a familiar costume dancing its way along the top branches. Naraku!

Sesshomaru braced himself for the fight, but it did not come. Naraku passed them by, making no note of his having seen them. He's no fool...he knew I was here...and did he see...? He looked down at Kagura in his arms. He could sense no residual demon aura emanating from her dead body, so it was unlikely that Naraku would have noticed her. Not that he would be expected to find Kagura...but where had he come from? He felt the weight of her body in his arm, still warm and limp... could it be, that Naraku had just then come from killing Kagura...? Sesshomaru's eyes widened. She was chasing after him! She knew he was going to kill her! But she didn't make it...Naraku you bastard! You will regret the day you have done this, for my hatred of you has no bounds for Kagura! I will kill you! His eyes burned malice as he stared at the retreating demon's back—

...b-dmp...b-dmp...
A pulse at his side drew his eyes to the ground. He looked at Rin.
...b-dmp...b-dmp...
Kagura...

His mind was racing, and he could feel his heart pumping faster and faster... could he...? He did not know, but....
He leapt into flight with Rin and Jaken behind him, the dead demoness in his arm. He inhaled the scent of Naraku's cloak, and set off in pursuit of Naraku's origin.
I hope...I am not too late...

Ah, wasn't that fun! The tension!!
Yes, well, the good news is that this story is completely written out--the bad news is that I have yet to type the other few chapters and so on, and then I edit at LEAST three times...
But never fear! I WILL get it up! I sat down and wrote this story by hand in a period of three non-stop hours. The pain.... the pain alone will make me finish this. Bye all! Thanks SOOOO much for reviewing!!