Whooo. Here's chapter 13! Finally! It's really short, but this is by far my fave chapter. I hope you like it too!

Chapter 13: Fighting a losing battle

Kagome sensed a demon nearby. Silently she grabbed her bow and strung an arrow, anticipating a fight. She didn't expect to see Inuyasha glaring at their newest opponent, Yuriko. Obviously they were starting a fight. Inuyasha's famous smirk was well in place.

"Take your best shot, Inuyasha." She spat, making his name sound like an insult. "No matter what you do, I'm still leaving with the miko."

"Got anything better to say? Like your Prayers!" He shouted, lunging forward with his sword. "Kagome's not going anywhere with you, not now, not ever!" He grunted as the tetsusaiga hit the solid dirt.

"Heh, missed me!" She taunted, as she gracefully flipped into the air, landing perfectly on the grass.

"Dammit wench! Stand still so I can kill you!!!" The hanyou shouted in frustration, heaving his sword up.

"Interesting request, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline." She smirked wickedly. "Inuyasha, taste defeat!" She rushed forward, towards the half demon.

Kagome watched in horror as Inuyasha narrowly missed being killed. She heard him yell: "You'll have to do better than that!" As he leapt clear of the attack. The miko's heartbeat relaxed slightly, enough for Kagome to string her bow. Taking careful aim, she let it fly towards Yuriko.

The soceress didn't have time to blink, but she brought up her sword abruptly to defend against the powerful purifying arrow. The arrow pushed persistently against the sword, Yuriko gritted her teeth in frustration as the glowing pink arrow grew stronger, as if hearing it's sender's prayers. "Come on, come on...." Kagome murmured, watching the battle. Yuriko's sword began to glow due to the intesity of the fight. 'NO!' The sorceress screamed in her mind, 'It can't! Juromaru!' She cried in her mind. Tears formed to prick her eyes. 'I can't fail! No!Nooo!!!!' And her sword broke.

In slow motion she felt the purified arrow enter her chest, peircing her heart. She saw the world wink out of existence for eternity, and the last image in her mind was Juromaru. 'I'm Sorry, Juromaru, my love. I've failed you' And everything ended.

Inuyasha blinked. He stared at her lifeless, staring eyes, and at the tearstains graceing her cheeks. Those golden orbs floated to Kagome, who lowered her bow and fell to her knees. Tears spilled from her eyes. Inuyasha was at her side in a blink, ready to wipe at her tears. They both had heard Yuriko's final words. "Juromaru, my love. I've failed you." And Kagome knew.

Ooooh. An interesting twist, don't you think? I know you don't have an emotional attachment to Poor Yuriko, but trust me, you will eventually! I'm sorry about the shortness of the chapter! Forgive me! But I couldn't resist leaving it off here. Just couldn't. Cliffies are great, aren't they?

Next chapter! We see what Naraku does now that he's lost yet another servant! How does Kanna fit in? And Sessy? Next time! Ttfn!