CloserThanFate: Muhahaha! The plot bunnies are coming back to me!

Disclaimer: Wait; shouldn't the fact that we even PUT the word disclaimer in here be enough to say we don't own the copyrights? Why do we have to say exactly what we don't own? Are they really THAT sick?!

3. . .2. . . 1. .

Miroku was walking down a path to look for InuYasha and hopefully Kagome too. He had left a simple marker at Kirara's grave sight and a few scrolls to prevent any other demons from digging her up.

(Ok, Ewww, I just grossed myself out there! Gomen if it grossed you out too!)

He still wondered how Sango would fair when she found that Kirara was gone. Would she ever speak to him again? The kizana was pulling at him with an even greater force now. It puzzled him momentarily until he realized what it must mean. Then . . . it terrified him . . .

InuYasha was holding Kagome's hand tenderly. He wished to kill himself for letting this happen. Angry tears were now pouring down his face. For once in his life, he could do absolutely nothing. The cold, lonely thought of it hurt worse than any physical injury he had ever known. He was brought back to the outside world when he realized he no longer heard Kagome breathing. Her heart, as he found, had also stopped its pace. InuYasha felt himself go numb in disbelief. Gingerly, he raised her to his lap and looked down at her now peaceful face. It was eerie to be holding the limp body of someone so close to you, knowing they'll never come back. It was also enough to start even more tears down his face, this time of sorrow. He kissed her cooling lips; their bond had been so strong so how had this happened? Never, he vowed, would he let his heart be stolen by another. All it caused both of them great pain and misery. He got up, making Kagome's body fall from his lap. When it hit the ground he winced as though it had been him. Nothing was making sense anymore; he had to get away from this. Run away from all that had happened. His pace from the clearing never slowed, nor did it speed up. The truth was tearing at him, ripping him apart. When his body gave out, he lay where he fell. Not caring who or what came or what it did . . .

(Ack! Writers block!!!)

Sango opened her eyes to see a dark room around her. Her head reeled when she sat up. When the ground stopped moving, she stood up completely and found that her clothing had been changed into her demon slayer armor. The thought chilled her of who could've done it, and what exactly. But for now, she had to find where she was and get back to the others. She walked out of the room and saw she was in a huge castle with a strong barrier around it.

'Could it be?' she thought, but she couldn't sense any demons or evil in the area. So she started down the hallway, looking into every room.

"Hello? Hello . . ." she called out for someone to hear. A trap-like door lead to a lower level. Cautiously, Sango headed down the stairwell she found and looked around the room. When she saw who, or rather what was down there, she gasped. Words escaped her and she prayed it was all a dream. Naraku's head was attached to what looked like a cluster of many demon bodies. There were also parts of things laying around or hanging from the ceiling. All of which was moving slowly or twitching.

"Well well well, it seems you have found me dear Sango . . ." said Naraku's head, looking directly at her, "However, I do believe you will be staying for quite a while. Why don't you make yourself comfortable?"

She had fought vicious demons before, including him, but now there was something different. Her thoughts were interrupted when Kohaku stepped out from the shadows, also wearing his demon slayer armor. Once again, she saw the glazed look in his eyes.

"My dear Sango," said Naraku in somewhat of a hiss, "You can join your brother at last. Now you can battle side by side, never having to leave each other again."

What was this trickery? Surely he wasn't just going to hand Kohaku over? Or for that matter, let them get out of there alive. As he spoke, the limbs and bodies were folding themselves together. Looking almost like a mass of clay.

"What do you say? Do you like the idea? It can happen you know, if you just do as I say. . ." he continued, never letting his eyes off of her. It was then Sango realized her weapons were now gone and she hadn't sensed him or Kohaku. Her legs started backing her away before she realized it. Arms reached out of the darkness and caught her, as one arm coming from Naraku, which was holding a jewel shard.

"All will be well in moments," he said, smirking at her and inserting the jewel shard. It stung like that of a hundred bee stings at one area. Again, the world started to spin, leaving her very disoriented. Colors blurred with her vision, and sounds became muffled. When the world settled, her vision became clear and she could hear well again. Every sense in her body was heightened, leaving her feeling very odd. However, even with the power boost she couldn't control her body. It was like a dream, she watched herself walk away from Naraku and down a winding corridor alongside her younger brother. Her scream could not be heard, and her desperation was not noticed. So this was how he had felt, her own brother, to be trapped in an never ending night mare. The only thing left to fear was for her friends to arrive . . .

Miroku stood frozen to the spot; his kizana was becoming very powerful indeed. He realized it was now or never to find and kill Naraku. The trail led to another clearing up ahead, he knew, possibly InuYasha and Kagome were there. What he found was not what he had hoped for. There was blood on the ground, fresh at that, and no sign of anyone. Only 3 footprints marked in blood were his clues as to what had happened. Three footprints, which were the same as InuYasha's and without a doubt this was Kagome's blood. Miroku headed onward towards the last know location of Naraku's castle. Ready to battle to the finish no matter who stood in his way now that his friends were gone . . .

InuYasha faintly heard a small "Eep!" from wear he had landed. His body had fallen down a small cliff and slid into a hole at the bottom that looked a lot like a wolf's den. The indistinct figure of a ragged girl appeared near him, gazing down at his bloodstained body. His lips moved slightly in an attempt to talk but no sound came out. Darkness covered what was left of his vision and his conscious faded as well as the girl's face . . .

Fine

CloserThanFate: Ok, I would like to thank those of you who have reviewed so far! And SoraChi for participating in the contest, which is now over. Please, if you are reading this story take 2 minutes out of your time to tell me what you think. It doesn't have to be some big, long speech. I know you have the time if you are reading this. But anyway, if you have any ideas for further chapters tell me and I will consider them! I'm having trouble with motivation to write right now with all the work I have to do so reviews help. Who knows? I may not post another chapter if no one gives me any feedback . . .Hope you had a great new year and happy whatever-else-you-celebrate!