Hey everyone! Another Monday, another chapter. Ye gods, I have exams next week. Ack! Well, I do only have one… =P Ah well, murder next semester so well…

Is it just me or is FFN having one of those months? It screw up, goes on again and off again and on again and off again. It's enough to make me go Ah! AH! *sigh* I'm okay now…

Oh and if Inu-Yasha seems a bit of an ass (more than usual) in this chapter then it's because I had a ratty day when I wrote it. Sorry.

And what you've all awaited! The explanation of how Kikyou got away is in this chapter! Well, sort of…

(by the way, if any of you notice, I know undetailed isn't a word. It just suited the purpose [realizes more people will now notice the word since she pointed it out])

Shout outs:

Tsukinoko: Yes, after giving Sesshoumaru a laptop I couldn't help but make the rest of them high-tech. *giggle* it's just so funny. And actually I did think about the whole cousin thing. But think about it: I never specified what cousins (example I look like I could be sisters with one of my –fifth- cousins) so we don't actually know how closely related they are. To save from ewwiness, let's say they're seventh cousins.

Asha: Isn't Kingdom Hearts the best!? (and howcome a lot of my reviews are more about KH these days…) I love Riku! He's a chibi Sephiroth! He's Sephiroth's child! Ha!

link no miko:  Isn't Sesshy the greatest? I love how he's so sarcastic and yet has no emotions… except in the anime with that one episode with Kagura where he showed mild irritation! It was great! And the RPG link you gave me was the greatest, I laughed so hard. It's so true.. (although thanks for ruining FF7 for me! Kidding) And my bad grammer… I'll have to fix that now won't I? Hey, maybe you can me my official unofficial editor!

Ditto: Wouldn't he though? I really want to see Sesshoumaru in a business suit.

That's all for now, since I'm pressed for time! GAH! I'll try to get to the rest of you later! Hope you enjoy the story!

Disclaimer: Sayakerbie! I don't own it and you know it!

Chapter 21:

 Invasion

Ninth Ghost of Earth, Kaede

I am writing as a warning to you. No doubt my foolish nephew is there at your shrine and will probably hear of these circumstances sooner or later. I have warned him several times and he has not heeded me; if the Reborn had died, as many of us had suspected, it would be of his own fault and I feel nothing but sympathy to the girl.

However, as you may confirm, I feel the girl has survived the little ritual the Outcast has put her through. I received an interesting visitor lately, a very old acquaintance. I will not say who but I expect that you will meet some time in the near future. But my guest has lately been to the Outcast's domain and, while I was not able to obtain the location of his hiding, I have received distressing news.

He is planning war.

I, the fourth Lord of Hell and demon ruler of the eastern domain, am powerful. No doubt more powerful then the foolish cretin who attempts war on all three existences but even I have my causes to worry. One who challenges the might of Heaven, Earth and Hell is either very foolish or very cunning. Despite what I may of heard of him he appears to have a silver tongue and has recruited many to his side. My guest has informed me of his tactics, and you should be warned: on the first night of the moon he will begin his assault on the mortals, beginning with the city Tokyo, Japan. His idea, or so I believe, is to weaken the mortals first, to gain their souls to his side, and then he will attack the higher realms.

Tell my foolish nephew to put aside his idiocies for once and look at this logically. If the Reborn is still alive and with him then no doubt the Outcast will try and obtain her in order to full harness the key-jewel. If my nephew wishes he should either meet him in Tokyo or wait a while and get stronger before facing the Outcast after he's done destroying the mortal realm. As for you, ninth Ghost, I suggest you relay this message to the other Ghosts and Guardians as quickly as possible and build your armies. I shall be doing the same.

May the third strike never come.

Fourth Lord of Hell, Sesshoumaru

Inu-Yasha snorted after finished the letter. "Can't that pansy ever write properly? He's using terms I've never heard of in my life! Who the hell was this 'visitor' and why the hell would Naraku attack Tokyo first? It makes more sense to attack the keys!"

"I take it 'the Outcast' is Naraku." Miroku said while Inu-Yasha fumed. Shippo nodded. "That's his name in Hell, since he failed the test to become a Lord and just caused havoc since then."

"What's the 'third strike'?" Sango asked, looking at the message over Inu-Yasha and Miroku's shoulder. Kaede shook her head and Myouga coughed. Sango looked at them expectantly. "Well? What is it?"

"Okuro." Kaede said abruptly, causing the small boy to look up. Kaede carefully took the palm pilot from Inu-Yasha, not without some complaints, and handed it to her messenger. "Go send this to the other twelve Ghosts and the fourteen Guardians. Warn them as soon as possible of Naraku's intentions."

"Hai, Miko-sama!" Okuro said brightly, taking the palm pilot and racing off, Momiji's long ears trailing behind him as the two of them disappeared. Myouga coughed and turned back to the group. "Distressing news indeed." He shook his head.

"Old Man, can you understand any of the gibberish that freak was talking about?" Inu-Yasha frowning at Kaede for taking the message away without him to be able to fully decipher it. Myouga coughed again.

"Inu-Yasha-sama, that's no way to talk about an elder, a higher rank or a relative of your–"

"Shove it." Inu-Yasha interrupted irritably. "I don't want to hear your lectures."

Myouga bristled. "Inu-Yasha-sama, I understand that under these circumstances you become particularly edgy, Kami knows your father was worse, but that is no reason to take it out on me and further more–"

"I said shove it!" Inu-Yasha barked, standing up. "Dammit, what's wrong with all you people these days! And baba, couldn't you have let me read that message a few more times? The hell, it's like you're all out to get me!" His ears flattened angrily and his nose twitched before he turned to storm out of the shrine.

"Kaede-sama," Miroku turned to the Ghost after the silence following Inu-Yasha's explosive departure, "can angels have PMS?"

Everyone looked at Miroku after the rather unexpected question. Shippo backed away and hid behind Kagome while Sango raised an eyebrow and muttered 'pervert' under her breath. Kaede nearly rolled her eyes but refrained from it. Miroku smiled. "Sorry, had to ask. Inu-Yasha certainly has seemed edgy lately."

"Well, given the circumstances who can blame him?" Sango replied. "First Kagome-chan nearly dies, then Kouga comes for a visit and afterwards there was the Fourth Lord's strange letter. If I were Inu-Yasha I would probably be edgy too."

Miroku smiled and tried, unsuccessfully, to put an arm around her. "Yes my dear Sango, but instead you are kind, caring and beautifu– "

Sango continued the recent tradition of interrupting people by elbowing Miroku in the stomach. "Flattery will get you nowhere Houshi-sama."

"Well, one can try." Miroku sighed, returning to his previous position, rubbing his bruised stomach. Sango was about to reply when Shippo's voice interrupted the conversation. "Kagome? What's wrong?"

Everyone's attention was turned to Kagome as the girl, who had said nothing for a while and was looking rather pale, gave another shiver. Myouga and Kaede looked concerned as Kirrara hopped out of Sango's arms to stand beside the girl and look at her curiously, mewling. "Kagome-chan?" Sango asked, worried. Now what was wrong?

Kagome closed her eyes and shook her head, putting a hand up to help clear the buzzing. She suddenly seemed to realize that everyone was talking to her and she looked around frightfully. "Demons." She told them in a hushed tone. "Lots of them. And one of them is really, really strong."

Kikyou couldn't help a smirk as she was led to the transporting room. Let Fourth Lord Sesshoumaru think what he wants but really he was just playing right into her hands. She had gotten what she wanted and what she wanted was to get out of Hell as fast as possible. Her plans had been ruined when she realized that Sesshoumaru was right and that she would never belong or be accepted back in Heaven, but he had given her a different purpose in what he had predicted to be a short life. Inu-Yasha was still alive and, ironically, had become a guardian angel. Why? Was he trying to become a Guardian, to dethrone her, to blind Heaven into giving him more power, like he had blinded her to get the Shikon no Tama?

She smiled bitterly at the thought. And she had so assumed that she had killed him. No, he was a threeblood and the most bothersome, annoying and filthy pests were always the hardest to kill. She looked up when a dim, blue light shone ahead, signalling her destination. The toad demon that was Sesshoumaru's underling stopped there and gave her a meaningful and disgusted look. She glared back at him as she walked past. Stupid little creature, thinking that she was the filthy one. He seemed to forget that she could destroy him with a single motion of her hand.

Or she could. She paused and looked down at the clothing she was wearing, torn and dirtied from the battle to get out of Naraku's lair, clothing she had stolen from a body in the Outcast's den. Before, if she so desired, she could transform the clothes, bring up new ones, change her appearance with a single thought. But now…

"Don't bother with your angelic powers now, Guardian Kikyou. They are useless in both this realm and that body. You are an angel's soul torn from a Reborn mortal and placed in a body made from the earth of Hell. Only what I say to work will work; you have become even worse than the threeblood."

She shook her head angrily, banishing Naraku's mocking tone from her head. A stoic look on her face she turned to look at Jaken, who was just leaving. Noticing the undead angel's gaze on him suddenly, the toad demon stopped and tapped his spear impatiently.

"What do you want?" he croaked boldly. "You can't change your mind now, you requested this and Sesshoumaru-sama granted it. These are his orders."

Kikyou raised an arm, brining Jaken's attention to the torn and battered cloth of the sleeves. She almost smiled at the victory she won over the demon, when his features said that he hadn't a clue what to think about the argument she was putting up. In a soft voice she gave her request, in a politeness she knew would insult the toad. "May I have some new clothes please?"

Jaken snorted and turned around, his staff tapping against the stone cold floor. "Don't bother Sesshoumaru-sama with such questions. I'll go see if there's anything in the storeroom."

Again, Kikyou almost smiled at her second victory. This may turn out to be a good day after all.

 Kagura leaned against the wall of the room she was assigned into, nursing her wounds. Stupid angel bitch, shooting her like that, she thought angrily. Naraku should have seen that Kikyou wouldn't be happy when she was brought back to life. Now The Master's little Guardian was out there in Hell somewhere and should a Lord, or worse Him, find her then they were all doomed. All for a stupid little pink ball, she sighed. A stupid pink ball that was supposed to lend Naraku enough power to be able to control all three existences. If that was true why didn't they win four-hundred years ago? She pressed the bandage harder against her arm and winced.

Naraku's plan had been working perfectly, so far, until the actual extraction of Kikyou's soul began. The Shikon no Tama almost seemed to recognize it's former master but it also recognized it's creator. The jewel, it's power split between the evil that created and the pure angel that held it, as well as the angel's Reborn that had it in her body for years, had cracked completely down the middle and split. Naraku had kept most of these shards, but one was placed inside Kikyou's body to bring her to life and another had disappeared, presumably returning back to the Reborn girl. Naraku, meanwhile, had acted calm as always, as if it was all part of the plan.

Of course, Kikyou's reaction when she woke up wasn't. From what Kagura gathered of Naraku's complex and very undetailed explanation Kikyou's soul and only Kikyou's soul was extracted from the Reborn's, meaning that either the Reborn was very strong, enough to hold onto her own soul, or she was so weak that she allowed Kikyou's soul to just slip right through.

Either way, all hell broke loose.

Kikyou had woken up, reliving her last few moments in death. When Naraku had tried to stop her she suddenly recognized him and tried to destroy him, only to find that her once invincible powers were now useless. So instead she threw a pot of fire at the demon and raced out of there. Kagura had been missing through most of the chaos caused, but when she arrived at Naraku's orders to stop Kikyou the angel had already managed to get some battle clothes and some weapons. She was fending off a good number of demons already with nothing but a staff and a bow, obviously living up to her reputation.

Kagura rubbed her wound again, grumbling. She and Kikyou had faced off one-on-one and the demon had obviously been winning when something had distracted her, somebody saying her name or something. And in that split second of distraction Kikyou had someone been able to call up enough strength to summon her powers, weak but still effective. So Kagura was out of commission and Kikyou escaped when the wind demon should have been the winner of the fight. Fate was bitter and cruel sometimes, Kagura thought grimly.

The door opened, revealing her older sister Kanna. Kagura frowned, knowing it meant only one thing. Kanna looked up at Kagura, as if reading her thoughts, and nodded. "Naraku has summoned you."

Kagura grimaced but stepped forward, not giving her 'sister' a second glance. Kanna ignored Kagura as well, closing the door behind her before following the wind demon.

Kagura walked down the halls until she reached the double doors that reached Naraku's lair. She reached forward and opened it, knowing that if she waited any longer Naraku would make it obvious that he sensed her presence and would just tell her to come in and she didn't feel like being insulted again.

Naraku was seated in the middle of the floor, the bamboo pelt covering him again, the blue skull covering his eyes. The remaining shards of the key jewel, the Shikon no Tama, lay before him as if he wre organizing them.

"Kagura, I am pleased to see you." He said, his voice echoing hollowly in the skull. Kagura truly wanted to tell her master where he aught to go but refrained herself from it. No matter how calm he appeared, Naraku was in one hell of a mood right now.

"You wanted something?" She asked, playing with one of her fans while she watched Naraku careful pick up each shard before putting them back down. All that power and we never use it, she thought bitterly. The only thing she remember Naraku using it for was to bring herself and Kanna, as well as countless other demons, all dead now, to life.

"Now Kagura, there's no need to be so rash." Naraku said, although his voice was close to hiss, indicating he wanted nothing of her attitude today. "I have a mission for you." He slowly picked up eight shards, seven small ones and an eighth slightly larger. "You know that the Shikon's power has the ability to bring mortals back to life…"

"…yes?" Kagura said, crossing her arms and frowning. Why was Naraku resorting to measures like bringing mortals back to life? Surely even lesser demons could do more damage, since the only mortals she knew strong enough would be…

"Eight brothers, seven old friends," Naraku said, indicating that Kagura hold out her hand and he dropped the shards into them, "one new acquaintance and old member. I believe you know of who I speak."

Kagura looked at the shards in her hand in surprise, disbelieving that Naraku could ever be so predictable. She had expected that he would do exactly what she expected, which she supposed was why he didn't. The front door's so obvious it's the least guarded, she remembered hearing once.

"You'll find the old grave easy enough and the last isn't hard to find either." Naraku said, implying a dismissal of his underling. "No doubt if you go you will be sensed by the Reborn and the threeblood; bring some lesser demons to mask your intentions."

Kagura eyed the shards in her hand and nodded. "Yes… Master." She said after a slight pause. She turned around and left the room to go and get a pack of youkai to keep Inu-Yasha busy. Even if he wasn't completely versed in the old days he would have heard enough stories to guess her, or more particularly Naraku's, true plan. Even a threeblood like him wasn't that foolish, she thought while rolling the largest shard between her finger and thumb. She was just glad she wasn't on his side.

Sesshoumaru fitted the metallic covering onto his arm, attaching the clasps until the armour sat snugly. He flexed his fingers to test it out and nodded with satisfaction after making sure the metal claw tips easily sliced through the stone in front of him. Centuries ago he had lost his left arm in a battle with his younger half-brother and only many years and a lot of witchcraft later was he able to finally regenerate it. Still it had never felt right and he, though a master swordsman, always felt more comfortable to use his armoured arm for more brutal hand-to-hand combat.

He carefully made sure that the weight was balanced and that everything was in perfect order before he turned his attention to the other small demons in the armoury with him. The servants were busy polishing and cleaning up his armour and began to work faster and harder when they felt his eyes on them. Unfazed Sesshoumaru walked by them and out of the armoury, heading towards the weapons room.

An old, humanoid demon was inside the room, polishing the two swords of the Fourth Lord with care and ease. His large round eyes blinked in the firelight as he turned towards Sesshoumaru, never pausing in his work.

"As good as the day they were made." The youkai said, indicating the Toukijin sword with a wave of his hand before going back to the handiwork on Tenseiga. "You'll get no trouble with these swords on the battlefield."

"That is what I would expect, blacksmith." Sesshoumaru said, feeling the evil blade in his hand before returning it to it's sheath. "This will be a long battle and I, Sesshoumaru, will need all the power one can muster."

"Your nephew as well." The demon said, squinting down his beaky nose at the sword he was holding as he smoothened out at blemish. "Don't forget him."

Sesshoumaru made no comment as he took Tenseiga back from the craftsman. Jaken suddenly stumbled into the room, tapping his staff against the wall cautiously.

"The witch has left, Sesshoumaru-sama." Jaken said nervously, all boldness gone in front of the Lord. Sesshoumaru nodded and turned to the blacksmith. "I shall be taking my weapons now. See to it that you are done in time for the first night of the moon." He paused before continuing. "And as for my nephew…"

The demon eyed him and nodded sagely. "You know what I'm talking about. Even an old fool like me, trapped in the bowels of Hell can see that history is repeating itself."

"Not completely." Sesshoumaru said as if fed up with the conversation, taking both his swords and turning to leave. "This time I, Sesshoumaru, will be in the war as well."

"We shall see." The old demon said, picking up a piece of steel to continue his work of supplying the Fourth Lord's armies with sufficient weapons. "Fate always has different plans in store."

Inu-Yasha kicked another rock into the forest, snorting with satisfaction when it cracked the branch of a tree. Stupid… stupid… hells, stupid everything. His uncle probably set the fucking letter just to screw him up; Sesshoumaru seemed like that kind of sick person. Bastard didn't even know how to write properly. And a third strike, yeah like that was ever going to happen. Stupid….

He slumped against a tree and kicked another rock into the woods, although it missed any of it's given targets. He didn't even know why he was getting so worked up anyway. Well, first that filthy bastard Naraku tried to kill Kagome by sucking out her soul… Inu-Yasha claws clenched as he vowed to kill Naraku slowly for that one and see how he'd like it. Trying to hurt Kagome like that, he certainly was asking for it.

Of course, there was also what he was using it for, a tiny little voice in Inu-Yasha's mind added. He snorted again but couldn't help feeling worried. If Kagome was right and Kikyou was alive then that would mean that she was with Naraku, wasn't she? First Guardian knows what he might be doing to her, no matter what devious purposes he needed her for. Inu-Yasha's eyes hardened; all the more reason to kill that asshole.

"Inu-Yasha! Inu-Ya-sha!" Kagome's voice snapped him out of his funk as he turned around, startled by the worry in her voice. She nearly ran into him as he grabbed her arm and looked at her worriedly. "Kagome? What is it?" he asked, stunned by the panic in her tone.

"Demons!" Miroku answered for her as he, Sango and their angels came running up as well, ready for battle. "Kagome-sama sensed them nearby. And one of them is quite strong."

"Aw hells." Inu-Yasha swore, turning to his task. "Where are they?" he asked. Kagome shook her head.

"I'm not exactly sure…" she faltered. "All I know is that they're that way." She pointed to the east as everyone followed her gaze. "There's a few that are really, really close by… I'd say about twenty of them… the rest are… are closer to…"

"Tokyo." Inu-Yasha finished for her. "Shit, he was right."

End Chapter 21

Okay, so I sort of explained how Kikyou got out… that's probably the best you're gonna get, so think of some other ways Kikyou could of ran off. I'm not exactly sure how she got away.

Where's Sesshoumaru gone? Who's graves did Naraku send Kagura to dig up? What's Kikyou planning? And will poor Kagome ever get a break? Stayed turned for Chapter 22: Reunion where these and other questions will (hopefully) be answered!

Oh, and I'm working on getting a website up, for all of you doujinshi-nazis out there. It should be up by next Friday. Should be.

Peace. I'm on far too much medication right now bleh….

~Ama

Quote of the week: "Who needs real men when you can have anime?" – a smart rule to live by