OK! Here it is! The next chapter in which you'll see who is dead and who is left standing.

Chapter Twenty-One: Good Versus Evil: It All Comes Down to This

Dereamu watched as Inu Yasha's body flew into the Wind Scar. The hanyou's haori ripped from the power and started dissipating before his very eyes. Blood splattered from cuts in Inu Yasha's exposed chest. The blinding light from the attack began to die down and Inu Yasha's body became more than just a blur. He was suspended in the air by the sheer magnitude of both the force of Dereamu's kick and the Wind Scar. Tetsusaiga fell from the hanyou's limp fingers and landed in the grass with a dull thud.

The ruby red sky became visible again as the body fell from its height to its knees; bone shattering cracks echoing through the small valley. Finally, Inu Yasha came into full landing, his blood staining the grass beneath him. Dereamu fluttered over to the fallen hero, landing just by his head. Using his long, bony hands, he lifted Inu Yasha's face. The blank eyes stared off, focusing on nothing but everything at the same time. There was no rise of the man's chest as he lay on his stomach. Dereamu's yellow teeth dripped with saliva that splashed on Inu Yasha's cheek.

"Are you truly giving in that easily? Foiled by your own weapon?" Dereamu dropped his grip on his head, letting it heavily fall again. He folded up his wings and walked over to the sword. "If you wont get up and use that little bit of life you have left in you," a bare foot was placed on the blade. The long dark green toenail scraped against the silver. A deafening screech rang out. "Then there is no use for this." Before his foot applied the needed pressure to break it, Tetsusaiga pulsed. Dereamu was instantly forced into the air, a clawed hand wrapped around his neck.

"Don't... touch.... my.... SWORD!" Inu Yasha threw the incarnation into the creek. He stood, panting beside his weapon. His knees, wobbling beneath him, were split open; bits and pieces of bone protruding threw the skin, muscle, and fire rat hakama. Blood was everywhere. Screaming in pain from his wounds, Inu Yasha fell onto his side, nearly passing out from the intense waves of agony. He didn't think he would be able to do that again. Not for the Tetsusaiga, or anything else. He just didn't have anything left in him.

Dereamu flew out of the stream, water spraying everywhere. "You had more fight in you than I thought," he said, making his way over to the cowering inu hanyou. The incarnation sighed. "Again? Do you really have no more in you? I was honestly hoping for a better fight. Oh well."

Dereamu hovered above Inu Yasha's face. He grabbed him by the neck, slashing his sharp claws into his cheeks, deeply cutting into the flesh. Softly landing in the space beside the fallen one, Dereamu kicked his ribs hard, causing the hanyou to do three flips and fly fifteen feet. A skin crawling laugh echoed through the air. Dereamu turned to the right to face his master, dressed in his baboon suit.

"Dereamu, you already have him in a ball? I am proud," Naraku stayed where he was.

"Sir, he's not dead yet, his mind has not gone blank, even after his heart has stopped beating." Dereamu rose into the air, watching the unmoving Inu Yasha with caution.

"Can you tell what he's thinking of? If so, then please share, my incarnation."

"Someone named Kagome." Dereamu voice never waved, not showing one ounce in emotion. He didn't feel hate for this man, nor did he hold pity. This man was just a mission he had to fulfill or die trying. Again, Naraku's laughter rained.

"Kagome? KAGOME! You fool. Kagome is not yours. She is mine, mated by choice. You have lost."

A shrill war cry startled the enemy. Naraku's red eyes went wide and Dereamu gasped. Inu Yasha forced his hand into the other's stomach, going in at an up angle. Blood spilled out as fist broke open internal organs. He pulled out his clawed hand and in the process emptied the other's body. He fell to the ground, a hallow shell of what he used to be. The blood red eyes of Inu Yasha looked up and spit on the ground at his enemy's feet.

"It all comes down to this," he growled and flexed his claws.

---

Kagome stood next to Kagura and touched her hand to get her attention. Both looked on as the mirror Kanna held glowed white. Kagura's red eyes narrowed and she let an angry moan escape her lips. Kagome's face flashed with emotions. Surprise, devastation, and then the anger reared its ugly head. Holding the dagger in her hand as tight as possible, she dashed toward Kanna with as much speed as she owned. She was outlined in white as lightning flashed somewhere near them.

About half way there, she noticed Kagura was running with her, the white and maroon fan in her hand. Tears rolled freely down Kagome's cheeks as she raised the weapon she held. The black kimono she wore loosed around the legs, allowing her to run without restraint. She didn't care at the moment what was going to happen, she just wanted the small girl dead for what she had done to her friends. The blood that fell from the sky drenched them both.

"Fuujin no Mai!" Kagura called out. Wind instantly surrounded the fan and blades seemed to fly out toward Kanna. This 'image' of Kanna just seemed to fade away before the wind could reach her. Kagura left out a muffled curse and Kagome rushed to Miroku and Sango's bodies.

The clammy touch of their skin made Kagome choke on a sob. Their eyes were wide, but lifeless; their bodies didn't flinch in the least when droplets collided with their faces. Tears fell from Kagome's flesh colored cheeks as she knelt beside them. Kagura stood behind her, looking around for any sight of Kanna. Her presence wasn't felt, seeing as she was but a void. Her youkai vision was the only thing to count on to find the girl. She appeared in front of the small group, her mirror between her arms. Kagura brought her fan to her face, preparing to release another 'dance of the wind blades'. Kagome, without lifting her head, tugged on her kimono sleeve.

"It will only be pushed back to you, Kagura," she said softly. She suddenly realized what she had to do. Kagome raised her head and lightning flashed, showing her red, raw cheeks. She stood and slowly walked up to the void manipulator. Closing her eyes, Kagome spoke quietly. "Alright, Kanna. You have another victim."

The reflective glass showed Kagome's image for a split second before turning pure white. Kagome's hair flew out around her; her blue orbs squeezed closed in anguish. A heavenly halo of light surrounded her, tainted red by the falling blood. Kagome slowly fell to her knees and collapsed onto the ground. Kagura stood, frozen in shock at what the miko from the future had done.

END CHAPTER

All right, there ya go. More questions arise in this little chapter, don't they?

Who did Inu Yasha kill? Is Kagome truly in the mirror?

Weird how I always leave you all with a cliffie. This is just the perfect story to do that with, isn't it? Fights that don't seem to end (sry bout that) and confusing subject matter mixed with cliffies

Alright, those of you reading this story... THIS IS IMPORTANT

This story will be coming to a close shortly, and I have some ideas for new stories. I'd like y'alls opinion on which to start. Here they are

"Hoops N' Kisses" prolly rated PG AU

Kagome, Rin, and Sango are best friends. Rin's boyfriend, Sesshomaru, and Sango's boyfriend, Miroku, attend the most popular all-boy's college with the best basketball team (in the country) in all of Japan (coincidently in their home town). All through out high school, Kagome had had her attention on the popular guy, Inu Yasha (bum bum bum! No one saw that one coming!), Sesshomaru's brother and Miroku's best friend! When Kagome wants to meet the hunk at the college, she forms a plan and needs the help from her two best friends to fulfill it. Will the whole thing blow up in her face? Or, will he fall completely and utterly in love with her? WAIT! There's only one problem! What if Inu thinks Kagome's a guy?

"Forever" title bound to change prolly rated PG

(I have one chapter for this already written, but it needs revising -.-' ) Inu's got a problem with Kagome. She's suddenly not acting like herself, but there's an even bigger problem... Something's attached to her and he can't get it off! How will Inu deal with this 'new and improved' Kagome? Can he find a way to get rid of the thing?

"When Water Freezes It Becomes..." title bound to change prolly rated PG

Inu and the gang are still looking for jewel shards. They come upon a cave that contains six shards of the Shikon no Tama. The demon inside is more than she seems. She has a sinister plan for our two male protagonists, but what will it be? When she gets Miroku and Inu Yasha, what will Kagome and Sango do to save them? (violence in this one YES!!)

"Love You Till Death Do Us Part" rated R AU

Inu Yasha and Kagome have been going out for years. No one tries to separate them. All is well and good until Inu's old girlfriend steps into the picture. Will she be the one to break up this lovely couple? Or, will love truly conquer all? (I have twelve chapters of this already written. The chapters are short, my bad, kinda crappy like. Rated R for a lemon and language. No more than twenty chapters in this one.)

Ok then, later guys!

Inu Face