Hello, hello! ;) Here's to another chapter. You guys give me such great ideas. I have no intentions of killing off Ketsueki, however… ::wink:: Hope to see some of your familiar faces when my next fic comes out!

Chapter 49 – Naraku's Torture and Kikyou's Head

Ketsueki grinned as she held onto Tsuki tightly. Inuyasha bared his fangs, angry that his baby girl is in the clutches of a demon. The stench of Naraku hung in the air. Sesshomaru quickly scooped up Taiyo and Kagome's fallen mother and put them in the house before coming back in. Miroku stood beside him firmly with a large machine gun in his hands, ready to fire.

Kagome shot Sango a look and said in a very low whisper, "Sango, you can't fight when you're like that. You should go back in the house, lock the door, and don't let anybody in. You're in no position to fight, or else you'll hurt your baby." Sango gave her a nod.

"Kirara will accompany you," She replied as her small cat demon appeared, taking the form of a large fire cat. She left as quickly as she could. Kagome returned her attention to Ketsueki.

"Kagome, is it? You're pretty powerful for a miko your size and age," Ketsueki commented cheerfully. "This baby looks like you more than she looks like him." She jerked her stare at Inuyasha, who snarled angrily.

"I don't know if I should be insulted or take that as a compliment," Kagome replied, not lowering her arrow. Her eyes shifted towards the large stairs that made the main entrance to the shrine. Something moved in the shadows.

"Don't worry. I won't hurt your kid, here." Ketsueki looked at the two. "It's not my nature to pick on little kids, let alone babies."

"Then why the fuck are you trying to steal her?" Inuyasha growled.

"Like I said before, I'm under Naraku's orders. You kill me, you'll kill your darling baby too," Ketsueki glared at him. She took one more glance at the small infant in her arm and snapped her fingers. A small spark of blue and orange erupted and died. "But I guess one fight won't hurt, will it?" She leaped at him and sent flames hurling their way. Inuyasha grabbed Kagome and jumped out of the way and set her aside.

Ketsueki jumped again and sent another ball of flames toward Sesshomaru, who dodged and sent his poisoning whip toward her. She dodged that and jumped, landing on top of the stairs.

"Kagura. It's nice to see you again." Sure enough, Kagura stepped out, brandishing her fan as she took the infant from Ketsueki's arms.

"Kagura!" Inuyasha shouted. "Where is Naraku?!" Kagura simply ignored him. She turned with a sad look in her eyes and stepped back. Kagome stared after her curiously then returned her attention back at Ketsueki.

"Well, I guess it's alright for you to come at me now," Ketsueki grinned as she bent down and tapped the floor. In a flash, a large scythe appeared in her hand as she stood back up. "I'm not going to hold back." She cast a glance over at Miroku and his large gun. Inuyasha snarled again.

"Just what I was going to say!" Inuyasha took a leap forward and swung his sword at her, finding himself face to face with her, her scythe in the way of him killing her. "I'm going to hit you so hard, you won't get time to figure out what just happened." He pushed her back and swung again, almost slicing her head off. "Damn you…"

"Same to you too!" She lit up her hands with fire that matched the color of hell itself and sent it hurling towards Inuyasha, unaware that Kagome was silently slipping away.

&&

Kagome slipped through the brush, quiet as sakura petals flying through a late afternoon breeze. She met up with Kagura, carrying the small bundle that was Tsuki.

"Kagome… did you keep true to your word?" Kagura said, her back turned against her. Kagome gripped her bow tightly.

"Yes. Where is Naraku?" Kagome replied, her eyes shifting from Kagura to Tsuki. "What does he what why my baby?"

"He thinks he could bring you out here by using one of your kids as bait. Surely you've met his other detachment, Ketsueki?" Kagura simply answered. Kagome nodded. "Don't let Inuyasha kill her. Or if he can, anyway. Ketsueki doesn't know what most of her powers are."

"Is she in our little plan as well?" Kagome asked, growing curious. Kagura nodded.

"Naraku doesn't know of our plans… But Ketsueki told me she would help…" Kagura stopped and looked up at the sky. "He's coming." She turned around to face her and started walking back to where Ketsueki and Inuyasha fought. "Oh, and Kagome?"

"Yes?" Kagome eyed her curiously. Kagura gave her a weak smile.

"Congratulations on your wedding." With a single grin, Kagura flew off on her overgrown feather. Kagome chuckled to herself as she started back to the shrine herself.

'I will not let Naraku get his filthy hands on my baby… I'd rather see him dance in a tutu than let him have Tsuki!' Kagome thought with a smirk. The image of Naraku dancing in a tutu was enough to have her in a laughing fit for the rest of the day. "The day Naraku dances in a tutu is the day Kikyou joins him in a ballet dressed as the leading guy!"

She ran faster with great ease. This time she would have some revenge… she would kill Naraku… and maybe she would let the others have some fun with him as well…

&&

Ketsueki cursed under her breath as she felt Naraku's presence grow closer and closer. 'Damn that bastard for ruining this fight…' She thought as she aimed another blue fireball at Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, the two acting as a tag team while throwing insults at each other. What kind of brothers were they, anyway?

Miroku was too busy shooting at the lesser demons, having fun, and busy yelling insults toward the two brothers to notice Kagome's return. Miroku was definitely the type to be a 'bodyguard'. He reloaded his gun and shot, barely missing Ketsueki's right leg. She cursed some more and threw her scythe at him, watching him roll out of the way. He was one hot shooter.

Ketsueki stopped and landed gracefully on the floor. She smoothed out her dress and fixed the two bells that were snugly positioned on top of her head. She fixed her gaze on Kagura, who had a very blank look in her eyes.

"Why'd you stop fighting, Ketsueki? Ya losing or are ya quitting?" Inuyasha shouted at her, watching her every move. She shot a small glare at him and regained her fighting stance, saying nothing in reply. Inuyasha turned his head off to the side where Kagura stood, a foul stench approaching, along with the sound of hands clapping dully.

"Well, well, well… If it isn't Naraku himself," Inuyasha balanced his sword on his shoulder and looked at the man who stood there, still clapping his pale hands.

"Surprised? I hope not. Oh, guess what? Kikyou's dead. Her head was supposed to be at your doorstep, but the deliveryman died of shock. Sorry," Naraku shrugged and smiled a nonchalant grin at her. "I guess I'll just bring it to you personally." Naraku lifted a small bag and threw it at him. Inuyasha jumped back, the stench of rotting eggs coming from it.

"I never knew Kikyou smelled like rotten eggs," Inuyasha replied, staring at the bag as he covered his sensitive nose. If this were worse, he'd hate to be Sesshomaru…

"Oh, sorry, I guess I threw my garbage at you instead. Here's her head!" Inuyasha nearly threw up when Naraku threw another bag at him, a decaying stench of rotting flesh coming from it. The bag bounced, causing him to see what was inside. He gagged and quickly kicked it away near Miroku, who jumped immediately once he saw the bag. He accidentally caught it and with a cry, he thrust it back at Inuyasha. "Happy birthday!"

Inuyasha threw it at Sesshomaru. "Merry Christmas!" Inuyasha shouted as Sesshomaru caught it and threw it to Kagome.

"Happy New Year!" Sesshomaru said as Kagome caught it.

"Happy Chrismahkwanzuhkah!" Kagome thrust it at Ketsueki, who caught it with ease.

"Uh…" Ketsueki threw it at Inuyasha again. "One potato!" He caught it and threw it back at Ketsueki with a glare.

"Two potato!"

"Three potato!"

"Four!"

"My-"

"Mother-"

"Once-"

"Said-"

"That-"

"You-"

"Havfta-"

"Pick-"

"The-"

"Very-"

"Best-"

"One-"

"And-"

"That-"

"Is-"

"Why-"

"Oh-"

"YOU!" Ketsueki and Inuyasha shouted at the same time and threw it at Naraku. He kicked it far off into some bushes with a scowl.

"How pathetic. Though I'm truly flattered that you picked me to be the best," Naraku smirked.

"Ah, save it. I just feel sorry for your ugly ass, that's all," Inuyasha retorted. Naraku cast him a glare.

"Don't you forget that I have your kid hostage, one little mistake and her head will end up like Kikyou's," Naraku threatened, an icy glint formed in his eyes. Inuyasha tensed as he watched Naraku reach towards Tsuki, who whimpered in fear.

"Stop!" Kagome cried out. She tore the necklace off her neck and held it out. "This is what you want, isn't it? Well, HERE! Leave her alone!" Naraku paused from reaching over to Tsuki to look at her.

"That's not the only thing, you silly girl. I want you and Inuyasha to suffer… can you give me that or do I have to fish it out?" He stared at her with another icy glare. He paid no attention to the small infant who slowly reached over and bit him hard in his out-stretched hand. He withdrew his hand with a grunt. "You little-"

"NOW!" Kagome yelled, sending an arrow at Naraku. It pierced through him, his face in shock and fury. He snarled as Kagura jumped away from him, carrying Tsuki close to her chest. Inuyasha ran up to him and Kaze no Kizu-ed the shit out of him, leaving Naraku on the floor in tatters. Sesshomaru walked up and stared down at him. His lips curled into a sinister smile.

"You-" He kicked Naraku in the gut with each word he spoke. "-Fucking-bastard-I-ought to-freaking-slice-you-to-tiny-fucking-pieces-you-low-life-piece-of-shit!" He kicked him one last time as Miroku stepped up, wanting to have a go and beating up Naraku. He cracked his knuckles and gave him a dark grin.

"Hi, Naraku."

"What the-" Naraku started but was cut off by Miroku. He took his gun and started beating Naraku, yelling out, "Piñata! Piñata!" He laughed at his joke. "Look kids! Moldy candy!" Miroku chuckled as he looked down on Naraku, who lay in great bruises and cuts.

"Ow…" Naraku mumbled as he started to get up. Miroku pushed him back down.

"Wait! We're not done!" Inuyasha gleefully shouted. He gave Kagome a look. She nodded and grasped the Shikon no Tama in her hands.

"Wait-" Naraku cried out, (Which is amazing, really, because he's covered in nasty cuts and welts…) as Kagome whispered a wish.

"I wish Naraku was gone forever so we could have happy lives and when he's in hell he won't get a girlfriend because he's ugly from all the beating he got!" Kagome said. They all watched as Naraku disappeared in a flash of white light as his cry of anguish was heard throughout the shrine. 'This is the end…'

Kagura turned away from the others and placed a hand over her heart. "I can feel it…" She turned to Kanna and watched as life was put in her emotionless eyes. She smiled with a grin as she took a feather from her hair. She turned to Kagome.

"If you ever need our assistance, don't hesitate to ask," Kagura said as she handed Kagome the feather. "Just release that in the wind and I'll come." Kagome nodded and smiled.

"Don't worry. You kinda helped us, too," Kagome replied as Kagura handed Tsuki over. Kagura turned to leave, taking Kanna with her. Ketsueki trailed behind, giving heran apologyas well. Inuyasha put Tetsusaiga back in its scabbard.

"It's the end of him, isn't it?" Inuyasha asked, looking at the bare patch of where Naraku once lay. Miroku nodded as he examined his gun. He could feel his wind tunnel evaporating, turning him into an ordinary man once more.

"Damn. He dented my gun… freaking bastard," Miroku mumbled as he started back to the house. "Well, I'm hungry!" Sesshomaru trailed behind him with a cool smile on his face.

"A piñata, huh?"

"Oh, shut up! It was the best I could think of!"

"And I suppose you want the kids to eat moldy candy, too?"

Inuyasha chuckled as he walked over to Kagome. She smiled at him as Tsuki gave him a happy grin.

"Come on, your brother's probably worried about you," Inuyasha said as he took Tsuki from her mother in one hand and put his other around Kagome's shoulders. "You planned this all along, didn't you?" Kagome chuckled.

"And if I told you, it would take you awhile to get it straight," Kagome replied. Inuyasha stiffened.

"What the hell did that mean?"

"Nothing, nothing." She looked up at him and smiled. "I love you." He returned the smile and kissed her.

"I love you, too."

YAY! There goes... the end? Well, I still gotta get that epilogue thing, so it's not technically the end. Sequel? Why, yes of course! I still need to get that Thank You page too.

Note: I do not own Rumiko Takahashi's characters, and no characters of hers were injured in the making of this fic. Though keep in mind that all original characters are copyrighted, I do not hold responsibilty if they come and attack you.

I FREAKING LOVE YOU ALL!