Author's Notes: Wow, I don't think I've ever gone so long without updating this story, or any of the stories in this trilogy. I'm sorry. Unfortunately, my shoulder surgery has taken a lot more out of me then I first expected, and not only am I typing with only one good hand and sort of using the other, but I'm using a lot of pain medications that make it hard to concentrate. So basically, it's been really hard for me to just sit down and type like I usually do, and I hope you all can understand that.
And, now that I'm getting everyone's hopes up, I have to dash them again by saying there will be no updates from now until at least July 6, because I'm going to participate in something called the Oregon Bach Festival Youth Choral Academy in Eugene, Oregon at the University of Oregon campus for almost two weeks, along with a huge choral festival that dovetails the YCA. So I just won't be around to type for a while. Sorry.
This chapter is not the best I've ever written (in my opinion) and I blame that partly on the fact that I wrote it over the course of a few weeks, and thus it might feel a little choppy in places. But it's the best I can do, because simply stopping the story is not an option. And thanks to all of you reviewing my new story, hopefully I'll have an update out for that one by tomorrow, the day before I leave, but the same rules go for that one too, no updates until at least July 6. Thanks for your patience, for your reviews, and for your support. And now, on with chapter fifteen! Enjoy!

Puppiescute a.k.a. Mic Mic: Don't worry, there will be some serious Kagome/Sukiono time coming up in the next few chapters. Not romance, mind you, but a lot of getting to know you kind of time. I'm glad you feel somewhat attached to Sukiono...that's what I was going for in his character. He's not supposed to be completely evil, so keep that in mind. I'll tell you this much: that is a KEY to the conclusion of this particular plot. Thanks for the review!

PixieDust99: Kagome and Kikyou were a little preoccupied with getting to know each other and settling old issues between them. Besides, Kikyou strikes me as the kind of person who, when not in immediate danger, would rather have Kagome figure out for herself that she had the power to escape then tell her straight out. Don't you think so? Maybe that's just my opinion. Thanks for the review!

Raven Webb: I would love to be a beta reader for you! I'm flattered you would ask! Just (and bear with me, it's the pain meds) remind me of exactly what I'll have to do. Isn't it like being an editor, kind of? Thanks for reviewing!

Jan13: You're as old as my brother...he was born in 1990, but in July, so actually I guess you're a little older. Oh well. Thanks for the review!

Violet Blossom: I chose Gideon because I'm not very good with Japanese names. I'm getting better at just asking people, but for now, since I already gave him the name, we'll stick with it. It's the same with Nancy. Thanks for the review!

Inu-guyver: Well, well, well, I haven't heard from you in a while. I went back over the story after reading what you had to say, and I realized that you're right, I haven't been very good at character development. Kikyou and Kagome's interaction while imprisoned was an attempt at that, but I see what you're saying...I think I got too excited about having my own new villain. Unfortunately, I don't think this chapter will be too helpful in terms of character development...my mind is a little scattered right now...but I'm trying to keep in mind what you said. And by the way, now I know how you must have felt when you injured your arm...shoulder surgery is no fun, especially when you have to wear a sling for six weeks. Thanks for reviewing, it was good to hear from you again!

HarmoniousHanyou2008: Garage band, eh? I have a friend in Germany who has a garage band...their name is 'The Wooden Latch' (frowns and gets a look of puzzlement). Actually, they didn't even know what that meant, and were a little heartbroken when I explained it to them. They thought it was this cool thing...oh well. It's funny that you should say I'm a great romance writer, considering I have absolutely no personal experience. Again, oh well. Thanks for reviewing, as always. I love hearing from the same people.

Charmed18: I hope your migraines get better, I know how you feel. Thanks for reviewing!

FrameofMind: No, I meant for this to be their first kiss, but it is true I was wanting to make that clear to people because I realized I had made it sound kind of like they had kissed before. Awesome for noticing that, and thanks as always for reviewing. I love hearing from you.

Kagomefire: I'll read your story when I can...I promise...I'm just kind of busy. Thanks for reviewing.


Title: Soldiers in a Timeless Battle

Author: dolphingirl0113

Chapter: Fifteen

Rating: PG-13 (for language and, at times, sexual implications)

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.


Inuyasha's sensitive body felt the ground rumble slightly, as though a huge explosion had taken place nearby, but he shook it off as nothing more then perhaps a large tree falling over in the forest. After all, he had no reason to believe that Kagome, the woman he loved, was in fact at that very moment running through the forest to be with him. It was Miroku, of all people, who first noticed something was happening.

Standing up, the monk turned and faced the forest with a strange expression on his face, and Inuyasha grunted, wondering what prank the lecher had up his sleeve this time, only to find his friend hastily pulling him to his feet as well. "Inuyasha, can you feel that?"

"Feel what, monk?"

Miroku's eyes were wide with confusion. "That aura. It's so powerful."

Inuyasha glanced toward the forest, but shook his head. "Keh, I'm no holy man, I can't feel auras. Is it evil? Is a demon headed this way?"

"No," the monk cocked his head to one side, "It's a very pure aura. Two of them, actually. And they seem to be getting closer."

Inuyasha began to feel frustrated, wanting to know what was going on, and ran up to the edge of the forest, training his ears and nose to find anything out of the ordinary. And suddenly, as the winds shifted, he found exactly what he was looking for when the gentle, enticing smell of vanilla wafted toward him on the air.

"Kagome..." He was off so fast Miroku had no chance of keeping up, although he tried, and before long Inuyasha could also smell something burning, and knew that wherever Kagome had come from, she had escaped, and he felt a swelling of pride at her resourcefulness. But he seemed to be chasing her forever, because even though her scent got stronger, he didn't hear the sound of running until it was too late, and before he knew what was happening, the hanyou found himself being barreled over by two frantic women who, to his frustration, made no move to stop and see if he was alright.

"Hey!" He hollered in frustration, and both Kagome and Kikyou halted, turning around to see Inuyasha lying flat on his back.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome shrieked, falling to his side immediately and throwing her arms around his neck so that they were both lying on the ground, the poor hanyou sandwiched between the earth and his wife. They remained that way for several minutes in silence, and Inuyasha could smell the fear on Kagome's body as though it were a putrid odor, causing a growl to rise up in his throat. What had her so frightened? Did he need to protect her from something?

Just then Miroku stumbled on to the scene, panting and sweaty, clearly having run the entire way, and heaved a sigh of relief when he saw the couple reunited on the ground. "Inuyasha," he sucked in a deep breath, "Next time would you please wait for me?"

But the hanyou didn't respond, too intent on holding Kagome tightly against his body, recalling how he had missed her while she was gone, all the fear and worry returning to be replaced by an enormous sense of relief. She was his other half, he realized, completely and truly. She gave him a feeling of completeness he could no longer live without, and at times he wondered how he had lived so long on his own, feeling all alone.

She seemed to be clinging to him with as much fervor, because he was slowly feeling the airway closing off to his lungs in her arms, but made no move to stop her. She could squeeze him to death for all he cared, so long as he died right there, in her arms.

"Kagome, we have to keep going," It was Kikyou who spoke, and Inuyasha finally sat up, though he didn't let go of Kagome. He turned his attention to the path the two women had come from and, sure enough, he could smell an extremely angry Sukiono headed in their direction.

"How did you escape Kagome?" He asked, baffled not only that she had gotten away, but that she had been so close to him all that time and he had done nothing. In fact, he could have kicked himself.

Shocked that she had found him, and that she was safe once more, Kagome couldn't find her voice at first, simply staring at Inuyasha in relief. He raised an eyebrow and touched her cheek. "Hello?"

"What?" She blinked. "Oh, I blasted through the wall, though I'm not sure how."

"You did what?" His eyes opened wide, and he turned to Kikyou for answers, but the miko just shrugged her shoulders and nodded.

"She did; she called upon her spiritual powers, and somehow they grew strong enough to break through the barrier that was erected around the castle." Kikyou smirked slightly. "To be honest, I've never seen someone amass that much power and then still be able to move after words."

Inuyasha nodded and glanced back at Kagome, who did look a little worn out. Not in her body, but he could see it in her eyes, and it was a difference that only he would notice...it was that extra sparkle he loved so much about her that was currently missing.

"We have to move," he said gently, and she nodded as he rose to his feet, offering her his back, which she accepted gratefully, laying her head down on his shoulder the minute his arms were under her legs in support. But just as he prepared to leap off into the brush, he felt a hand on his arm.

"Inuyasha, wait."

"What is it, monk?" Miroku looked extremely worried.

"You can't head back in the direction of the village, because it will put all those people at risk."

"I wasn't planning to head back to that village, baka, I was going back to Kaede's. I can outrun that bastard."

Miroku rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, making an angry scowl. "So the lives of the villagers in Kaede's village can be sacrified?"

"I..." Inuyasha trailed off. He hadn't really thought about that. All he'd thought about was getting Kagome away and safe. Then a thought occurred to him. "The well..."

"What about the well?" He felt Kagome move against his back as she spoke warily.

"If I can get you to the well, you'll be safe. I can handle the rest."

"Like hell you can!" She shot back. "I'm not leaving you!"

"Kagome, do as I say!"

"Why?"

"Because..." He floundered for a reason. Why did she have to be so damn stubborn? Finally he chose to go with the classical cop out. "Because I'm your husband, that's why!"

She was about to say more when they heard a crash and, thinking it was Sukiono, Inuyasha whirled around, pulling out tetsusaiga with Kagome still on his back. He growled low in his throat, and Miroku put his staff forward while Kikyou stepped behind him in protection. But just as quickly as they had prepared for battle, they sighed in relief as Rin popped out of the underbrush, followed by Sesshoumaru, Nancy, and Jaken.

Glancing at the sword the hanyou was brandishing, Sesshoumaru, eyed his brother suspiciously for several minutes before frowning. "I didn't know you were still mad about the sedatives, Inuyasha."

"Keh," he dropped the sword quickly, "I thought you were someone else, baka." But just as he finished speaking, Inuyasha noticed Nancy on his brother's back, and gaped. How close had they become, anyway? The way she was clinging to his neck and leaning her head against his back was very intimate, like what Kagome did with him.

Before he could analyze the situation any further, the blonde leapt to the ground and practically pulled Kagome off of Inuyasha to give her a huge embrace. "Kagome! Oh, thank heaven you're safe! We were so worried! We even had to sedate Inuyasha to keep him from hurting himself!"

"You did?" Kagome glanced at the hanyou, who put a glare on his face, and then at Sesshoumaru, who looked just as passive as ever.

"Kagome!" Rin bounded forward and embraced her on the leg even as Nancy still held her in her arms, and Kagome was starting to feel like she would topple over at any moment.

"Hey!" Inuyasha practically had to peel the two women off of his wife. "She's exhausted! Leave her alone!"

Just then Sesshoumaru growled and pulled out toukojin, his eyes trained on the brush behind Inuyasha. Turning, the hanyou smelled the danger too, and unsheathed his own sword. "Kagome, get back," he commanded, and she, too tired to argue, simply obeyed, Nancy and Rin following to stand behind their own demon lord/protector.

Sukiono appeared a few seconds later, his eyes practically bulging with rage, and he glared hatefully at the three men currently providing a shield for the women. "Where is she?" he hissed, darting his gaze everywhere before finally spotting Kagome. But Inuyasha stepped into his line of vision before he could do anything else.

"Your fight's with me now."

"I just want Kagome...hand her over and I won't hurt anyone."

"Like hell I will! She's never going with you again!"

The two men glared at each other, surrounded by a heavy silence, and the others waited to see what would happen. Would they attack? Who would strike first, and how? Kagome put her hand on Inuyasha's shoulder and squeezed slightly, taking comfort in his presence, in assuring herself that he was real. Little did she know her presence was all his sanity had to cling to other then his sword.

"Hiraikotsu!" The silence was shattered by the sound of Sango's whirring boomerang, and a few seconds later Sukiono went flying backward, having been struck in the chest...hard.

"Sango!" Miroku called as she and Kirara landed beside him, Shippou on her shoulder, Ayame and Kouga appearing a few seconds later, along with Gideon, who immediately went to Kikyou's side. The wolf man nodded.

"I thought I smelled trouble." He glared at Sukiono, but then softened his gaze as he spotted Kagome beside Inuyasha.

Turning, they gazed once more at Sukiono, who had risen back onto his feet, his hand over his heart where he had been hit. He was breathing hard, partly from running, and partly from having the wind knocked out of his lungs a few seconds before. But his eyes never left Kagome.

"Why did you leave?" He whispered. "I was not cruel to you."

Everyone turned to gaze at Kagome with questions in their eyes, and the girl looked away, blushing. Why did he always have to do that? Why did he always have to act so innocent and kind when it came to her? It made hating him extremely difficult, even if he was the man responsible for kidnapping her twice and for causing her miscarriage.

"Stop looking at her!" Inuyasha howled, leaping into the air, brandishing tetsusaiga over his head before swinging down. But, like his father before him, Sukiono was prepared, and the blade fell against a barrier so strong that it propelled the hanyou backward into a nearby tree. Kagome sighed, feeling like she had seen it all before.

"You never learn, do you?" Sukiono hissed, walking forward, a black ball of energy appearing in his hand. "You can't beat me. You couldn't kill my father, and you can't kill me now!"

Inuyasha rose to his feet, putting tetsusaiga at the ready, and Kagome noticed, to her horror, that even as he held the sword, his eyes were flashing red. He was a man on the edge of sanity, and if he were to lose the sword...well, she didn't even want to consider the possibility of what might happen.

Sensing the coming storm, Sesshoumaru leapt over to his brother's side, his own powerful blade at the ready, and the two glared at Sukiono, who had taken a step back as he recognized the demon lord's intentions.

"My fight is not with you, Sesshoumaru," he spoke slowly. The demon narrowed his eyes.

"No indeed, because you know I can, and will, kill you. Especially after what you did to Nancy."

Sukiono turned his head and glanced at the blonde, seeming to remember how he had attacked her that day, and a slight hint of fear entered his eyes as he realized his mistake. "I just want Kagome," he tried again, "She is vital to my plans. The rest of you I won't hurt."

Inuyasha let out a growl, but Sesshoumaru just smirked. "You're less like your father then I thought. Begging was not Naraku's style."

That lit a spark, and Sukiono flared in anger, attacking the two brothers full force, managing to send both flying back, though Sesshoumaru quickly righted himself, Inuyasha close behind.

"Hiraikotsu!" Sango threw the boomerang again, but this time he was ready, and sent the attack hurling back at her, narrowly missing her neck, which would have been severed had she not been paying attention. Realizing this, her face paled dramatically, and she backed off slightly, much to the surprise of Kagome.

"Sango?" It wasn't like her friend to back down from a fight. But suddenly the demon exterminator was pale, and her eyes were filled with fear.

Kagome was forced to fight for her own life, however, when she found Sesshoumaru flying backward in her direction, without any clue she was behind him. Leaping to the side, she barely managed to avoid the collision as he righted himself and flew forward once more, so quickly that all she saw was a flash of light. A howl of pain and a minute later, she could see he had struck Sukiono in the arm, which was now dripping with blood.

Inuyasha saw his opponent weakening, and took the opportunity to attack, even though he was once more repelled by a barrier. His speed was admirable, but it was still not equal to Sesshoumaru's.

Growling angrily, the hanyou rose to his feet again, his eyes flashing a dangerous shade of red, and everyone looked on in horror. They had never seen him pushed so far that even the tetsusaiga failed to harness his boiling demon blood.

He attacked Sukiono again and again, each time weakening the barrier until at one point part of tetsusaiga actually pierced through and into the man's shoulder, to which everyone heard another cry of pain. But he would not stop. He could not be stopped. He was a man gone wild, and even though he had not turned completely demon, Kagome knew he was close enough that he would do anything, only to regret it later. That at least was made clear by the fact that he wasn't thinking clearly enough to use his barrier attack, instead choosing to bash the negative energy wall over and over again as though the tetsusaiga were nothing more then a mallet.

"Inuyasha!" She called out desperately, ignoring her own fatigue and climbing to her feet. "Stop!"

The hanyou was living in a world of fog and haze, where all he saw and heard was his enemy. Faintly, he registered the sound of his wife, the woman he loved, but he pushed it aside, intent on destroying his enemy.

He stole her from you, Inuyasha heard his demon mind screaming. He stole her from you and now he must pay!

In order to defend himself, Sukiono flailed his arms about his head madly, and somehow managed to knock away the mighty sword as it went flying, lodging itself in a tree and transforming once more into a harmless, rusted blade. And as it hit the trunk with a thud, it was as if the whole world took a deep breath before plunging into madness, and Inuyasha was lost.

His claws extended nearly two more inches from his fingers, sharp as polished knives, tattoos appeared on his cheeks, his fangs grew so that his upper two were visible hanging over his lower lip, and worst of all, his eyes had gone completely red. Red, and without a soul, for even as he turned his head wildly about, everyone could see he had become an animal...nothing more then a raging beast.

"Inuyasha..." Kagome whispered in horror, not sure of what to do now. She didn't know this creature, this demon that had overtaken the body of the man she loved. It was part of him, she knew, but still unfamiliar to her, and thus she didn't know what to do. She knew what had saved him before, what had pulled him back from the abyss, and knew she had to kiss him again, or at least embrace him, but how...? How could she get to him, when he was thrashing about madly with his claws, cutting Sukiono and wounding the poor man to the point that he would surely not have been able to survive, had he not been the son of Naraku.

Sukiono's barrier continued to hold, but only in places, which did prevent Inuyasha from slicing him in half, but unfortunately did not keep the crazed hanyou from trying to cut him to pieces.

"Inuyasha, stop!" Kagome cried again, but knew he could not hear her. He continued his maddening assault, and she turned desperately to look for some means to put an end to his massacre. Sukiono was their enemy, to be sure, but her Inuyasha, the man she loved, would still never condone killing a man in cold blood like this.

Finally she spotted her salvation in the form of a bow and arrows, which were slung over Gideon's back. Running to him, as though possessed herself, she practically threw him to the ground as she grabbed the weapon from him, leaving him stunned on the ground. Kikyou knelt to comfort him, but at the same time nodded, understanding what Kagome had to do.

Unfortunately, the others did not, and panicked when they saw the young miko notching a bow against her husband and mate. "Kagome-sama, what are you doing?" Miroku called out, putting a hand on her arm to stop her. "You could kill him!"

"I'm not aiming for him, Miroku, just near him, to serve as a distraction." The monk furrowed his brow in confusion, and she tried to smile slightly in patience. "Our Inuyasha would not want this, you know that as much as I do."

He gazed at her for another few seconds, but finally blinked and nodded when Sukiono howled again. "Very well."

Returning her attention to the scene before her, Kagome pulled back her arrow and aimed for just between the two men, praying that her aim was still good, since she was somewhat out of practice. Closing her eyes, she let go, satisfied when she only heard a yip of surprise, and not a cry of pain. But her relief was short lived, because now the raging hanyou was turned to face her, slowly advancing with his body poised for attack.

"Inuyasha..." She had never feared him before, but now, suddenly, she was afraid. She had never seen him so wild. He had been on the edge even with the tetsusaiga. How could she alone hope to bring him back? "Sesshoumaru," she called out, keeping her eyes on the hanyou, "Get Inuyasha's sword."

The demon lord nodded and went to retrieve the blade, careful to make no sudden movements, and Kagome and Inuyasha continued to stare at one another as he advanced on her slowly, almost as though he were having a battle with himself. This gave her courage, because she knew that his demon side recognized her as his mate, but was having a problem taming its lust for blood.

"Inuyasha, it's alright," She spoke as calmly as she could, dropping her bow and arrows to the ground and holding out her empty arms in a gesture of faith and goodwill.

"Kagome-chan, don't, he might hurt you!" Sango cried in worry, Kouga and Ayame at her side, gawking, never having seen the hanyou in his demon state before.

"He won't hurt me," Kagome replied, wishing she was as confident as she was sounding at that moment. She looked directly into his red eyes. "Will you, Inuyasha?" At the sound of his name, however, he seemed to lose the battle, because he leaped for her, and before she had time to move out of the way, she instinctively screamed, "SIT!"

He hit the ground just before reaching her, and Kagome heaved a sigh of relief when Sesshoumaru rushed over and placed the tetsusaiga firmly in his brother's right hand. After a few minutes, the hand tightened its grip around the hilt, and everyone heaved a sigh of relief, only then noticing that Sukiono had disappeared.

Oh well, Kagome thought as she helped the hanyou to his feet, smiling as he put his arm around her shakily. He looked confused, and was clearly trying to piece together what he had done this time while under the control of his demon blood. Kissing his cheek tenderly, she assured him silently that no harm had come to anyone, choosing to tell him later about his assault on Sukiono. He would beat himself up enough about that when the time came.

But something had changed, that she could not ignore.

Up until then, she had not realized how passionately Inuyasha loved her, and how dangerous it was to upset a hanyou who not only loved her as a man, but as a demon who saw her as his property...and no one else's. Only now was she beginning to understand the gravity of the situation, and of the seriousness with which Inuyasha took the mark on her neck and their wedding vows. Clearly, in the future, she would have to be more careful. They would all have to be more careful...because otherwise the outcome was too horrible to contemplate.