All right everyone, the long awaited chapter! Muahaha, it took me a long time to get here, and thanks to everyone for reviewing. Oh yeah, Shikon no kakera means "Shikon shards." Wanted to clarify that, but thanks anyway :) Yeah, a lot of times I use Japanese without thinking that people don't know it . . . sorry. Ask questions. They're good! I swear! :) Ok, read and please please please review on this chapter! I mean it. Seriously . . .

Disclaimer: You know I don't own it, because this stuff would never actually happen, honestly . . .

Chapter 25 - Loss

They were running, and running, and running. Kagome couldn't tell just how long, but every time she woke up, she saw Kagura's back and the howls of the wolves below. Out of pity, or something like it, Kagura had placed Kagome in the feather with her. It was a pleasant experience, but the feel of flying was nothing without Inuyasha.

At long, long last, the dark castle could be seen on the horizon. Kagura stopped, halting the wolves as well. She lowered the feather to just above the ground, and began to speak.

"Listen to me, he may know you are coming, I'm not sure. I very well may die right when I get there, if he does know." She paused, biting her lip, then continued. "I will hide Kagome for as long as I can, and some of you should release her friends, the rest help Inuyasha." She looked around at the wolves ans smiled.

"I hope this makes up for what I did. I was different then, though that's no excuse." She glanced at Kouga. "I'm sorry."

Kagome smiled and placed a comforting hand on the demon's arm. Kagura sniffed once, then took off into the air again, and they continued.

"Kagura, was Inuyasha there when you left?" Kagome asked quietly. Kagura shook her head.

"No, but he was very close. He'll be there now for sure." She saw Kagome's mouth open and laughed. "Your friends are fine, honestly. All they do is sleep. He didn't torture them." Much.

Kagome nodded, then drifted off to sleep. When she woke, she heard startlingly loud noises, and they were very familiar.

She made to get up at the sound of his voice, but an arm stopped her. It was Sango. She gasped and flung herself at her friend, noticing too late Sango's lax grip.

"Hush Kagome, don't make yourself known."

"But I want to see him!"

Sango shook her head. "No, Kagome. Everything's all right."

Kagome heard the doubt in her voice, and reached for her bow and quiver. She pushed Sango away, and the young woman couldn't stop her, weak as she was.

When Kagome walked onto the battlefield, she saw a few wolves littered on the dirt, and Ayame fiercely protecting Shippou from a Naraku puppet. Her gaze drifted through the giant courtyard, and found the heat of battle everywhere.

Finally her eyes lit upon what they most wanted - and yet feared - to see. There was Inuyasha, battling Naraku fiercely. Blood was everywhere, mostly on Naraku, but on Inuyasha as well. His battle cries were loud, while Naraku was frustratingly silent, taunting.

Kagome trembled, and placed a hand on her belly. Inuyasha spun, his sword swinging around to slash at Naraku's chest. It hit, and blood spurt everywhere. Inuyasha looked up, and stared straight at Kagome. He stood still, and Naraku turned to see what the distraction was, breathing heavily.

He smiled.

"Miroku!" She ran over to him, and he clutched the taijiya tightly. They shared a brief kiss, then split apart to look around for something to kill. They both saw Kagome at the same time, preparing to draw her bow and shoot. They looked to the right, just as Naraku let go of his own bolt of energy.

"Kagome!" They screamed, but it was too late.

"Kagome!" Shippou watched as the bolt of energy hit her square in the belly. She immediately fell, dropping her weapons. She heaved and gasped, holding tightly to her stomach. Then it all happened. Blood was everywhere, pouring from between her legs.

"Kagome!" he screamed again, and tried to run to her, but Ayame held him back. He looked to his left and saw Kouga's horror-stricken face, and he bolted toward Kagome.

Inuyasha stood still, tears building in his eyes, then he let out a howl as he turned toward Naraku, his eyes bright red, and he remembered no more.

Miroku and Sango stared, and once she realized what was happening, Sango screamed and tore off in that direction, and Miroku leaned against his staff, watching Inuyasha.

The hanyou was fighting the urge to turn full demon, but wasn't making good progress. He slashed at Naraku with an unbelievable speed, Tessaiga invisible as she ripped off his limbs. Naraku's face, for the first time, showed worry and dread. Finally, Inuyasha's transformation was complete, and he charged at Naraku with his claws and teeth bared.

In one swift instant, Miroku saw in slow motion, he watched Inuyasha raise his arm, and Naraku drew his face in tight, trying to raise his arms and block the attack. But before he could get his hands in front of his face, Inuyasha's fist came down, punching Naraku's nose, and his other fist came up under, slamming into his windpipe. A sickening crunch could be heard, as Naraku's nose splintered.

Miroku saw Naraku's face go blank, as the bone fragments pierced his brain, and the choking sound of his windpipe collapsing. He fell, his face sick and purple, twitching on the ground for an instant before exploding into dust.

Inuyasha slumped to the ground, breathing heavily, then ran over to Tessaiga and took it in hand, then turned to look at his mate.

Everyone who was left alive was crowded around her, and Sango was holding a small bundle and bawling. Shippou clung to Ayame, who clung to Kouga, who were all weeping as well.

Kagome herself was still, unconscious. Inuyasha gulped, tears in his eyes as he stood above her. The entire bottom half of her body was drenched in her blood, her clothes ruined. Sango sniffled and walked over to him, then placed the bundle in his arms and ran to Miroku for comfort.

He looked down at the face of his daughter, silent in death, and wept.

Umm . . . hello . . . yeah . . . I don't think I meant that to happen, either . . . Umm . . . review, and try not to kill me, all right? Please review! This chapter took a long time to write, and it's hard to put in everything I want and not kill it. Please review! Thanks! - Ariana