Author's Note: As always, thank you all for reviewing! I think many of you would love this chapter cause...ha! You can't fool me! I won't give you the answer that easily, and so you all just have to read and find out what I mean! Please read and review!...You sneaky little reviewers you...(Shakes head while smiling)

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

Chapter: Eight

It was dark and gloomy in Naraku's castle... when is it not?!

The powerful demon whose name was uttered at all would send chills down anyone's spine. He sat cross-legged in his usual place in his room that he was always in of his castle. He had sent a servant of his to retrieve Kagura. He wanted to know all that has been going on and if she did things right, which she sometimes didn't. Once Kagura arrived, a few moments of silence were present until the demon lord turned to the wind sorceress.

"Kagura if you fail me, you know very well that you will cease to exist any longer." He accented his point by looking at her heart that was currently in his hands and he closed his eyes. As he did so Kagura let out a howl of excruciating pain as she felt her insides like they were being cut up slowly with daggers.

She dropped to the ground and scrunched up her face as the pain slowly subsided, for the time being. Kagura was holding onto her throat, trying to breath, 'Damn him! I made no mistake! Why does he torture me so?' Naraku stopped, and Kagura took in deep breaths as she still hugged herself, still recovering.

"Now, take this orb." Naraku demanded as Kagura finally stood up, now almost fine again, she took it and gazed at it carelessly. (A/N It looks like that round hive thingy that Naraku gave to Seshoumaru when they made a pact.) "It is filled with countless demons, use it wisely Kagura and do not fail me. You know your fate if you shall do so." Kagura nodded and walked out of Naraku's chambers.

Naraku had abad feeling and immediately didn't trust her to do her job, and so made another of his baboon puppets to go and fight along side her when it was needed to.

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They finally reached a large clearing, probably the size of a football field was Kagome's opinion. Both mikos continued to talk, sharing ideas and opinions with each other about the situation at hand. Sango and Miroku still flirted, as Kohaku and Shippo slumbered atop Kilala. Inuyasha and Kouga were still bickering.

They all stopped as Kikyo and Kagome walked to catch up to Inuyasha at the front. "We have finally arrived." Said Kikyo as she walked up to a small hill where a hut was built. Kikyo turned around and motioned for them to follow her. As they did Inuyasha looked at Kagome, 'I wonder what they talked about? Must not be bad cause Kagome's smiling.' And therefore he smiled. Inuyasha was happy whenever Kagome was.

They all went inside and instantly found it cozy. Kagome began mixing the healing herbs just right as Kikyo watched and helped a little too. Sango came next to them with Miroku and the three women helped treat his wound. Sango lay Kohaku next to Miroku against the wall.

Sango sat in front of Miroku as he leaned agains tthe wall, "Miroku, can you heal Kohaku of Naraku's control? He may still be when he awakens." Miroku turned his head to her and smiled. "Of course Sango, I'll do what I can." She nodded her thanks as Kikyo and Kagome bandaged his shoulder wound. Sango glanced at Kikyo numerous times, still hesitant if she should trust her or not. She really didn't feel comfortable at all around this woman who had hurt Kagome.

Inuyasha sat against the same wall as Miroku, but about only a few feet away. He glared at Kouga who sat across the room. They seemed to be having a glaring/staring contest.

Poor Shippo and Kilala, they're worn out, and so slept in the corner next to a fireplace.

As they were done bandaging Miroku's wound he looked up at the mikos and smiled. "Thank you Lady Kagome, Lady Kikyo." They both nodded, and everyone decided to just use this time to relax or train, depending on their conditions.

As Miroku worked on Kohaku, trying to release Naraku's control over him, Sango watched her brother's face the entire time. "Kohaku, don't worry, you'll be ok soon. When you come back to me, I'll make sure not to loose you again. I promise."SAngo said as she held her brother's hand. Kikyo sat in a corner near Kohaku and Miroku, deciding to meditate. Kagome sat next to Sango, worried about her and scared that Miroku's powers might not work on Kohaku.

Kagome turned her head and noticed that the fire was dying slowly, and so she decided to get more firewood that she had earlier seen was outside in a pile at the side of the hut. As she neared the door Inuyasha saw her, "Kagome, where are you going?" Kouga looked at her too. "Oh, nowhere really. Just to get more firewood. It's right out here so i'll be back in a minute" She said pointing to the dying fire, then out the door. Inuyasha nodded, "I'll help you."

"Me too." Said Kouga getting up. Inuyasha was already at Kagome's side and looked at the wolf prince angrily. "We can handle it on our own, we don't need you."

"Shut up, I'll help Kagome when I want."

"Well, we don't need your help, huh Kagome." He said looking at her. "Don't you want me to help you Kagome?" Kouga asked sweetly while looking at her also.

Kagome just stood helpless while shaking her arms up and down quickly, not knowing what to do. Then calmed down and looked irritated, "I'm not so helpless as to need both you guys help me do such a simple task." She said as she walked out the door. I mean seriously! She wasn't some five year old who so helpless that she couldn't even tie her own shoe!

"Look what you made her do?" Inuyasha shouted and pointed at the door where Kagome left. "I didn't do anything mutt face." They continued to argue and went outside anyway.

Kikyo smiled from her place in the corner, as did Miroku and Sango from where they were. Miroku went back to what he was doing and concentrated his powers toward Kohaku's heart and mind to relieve him of the dark shadows that had somewhat made a home there.

'Kagome is truly something else.' Thought Kikyo as she shook her head and went back to meditating.

Kagome was upset. She meant what she said and didn't take it back. After all, that was how she felt around these strong people. In times of battle, Kagome thought there was so much she couldn't do. Sango being a demon exterminator, she was trained all her life how to fight and handle weapons. Miroku had his spiritual powers and staff to defeat demons as well. And we're even gonna talk about Inuyasha! Kagome shook her head, 'I wish I were as strong as them.'

Kagome sighed and sat down by the logs, instead of taking them inside like she'd planned, and looked at the sky that now turned dusk. 'How is it when I'm doing something else, I get so caught up in the beauty of this place that I just don't finish it?' The stars were beginning to appear as the night sky once again took daylight's place in the feudal era. And Kagome couldn't get enough of it. She loved it here.

She pulled on the sides of her ponytail to get it comfortable as she was laying her head on the ground. Kagome knew Inuyasha knew she was ok since he could smell that she wasn't in danger, so just assumed that he would leave her at peace for the time being. He knew that Kagome loved looking at the stars, and that's what she was doing.

All of a sudden, Kouga stormed out of the door, obviously upset about something, and walked toward Kagome as she now sat up and was very confused. Kouga stopped and smiled. Kagome hesitantly smiled back as Kouga sat down next to her. Kagome glanced around herself anxiously, looking for Inuyasha and if he was nearby.

"Kagome, can I talk to you?" Well, yeah. Why else would he be out here? Anyway she looked at him and nodded. Kagome turned to look at him and smiled politely, "Sure, what's on your mind?" Kouga was silent for a second and then looked at her. He didn't know how else to ask this question so, he just went for it, "Kagome, do you love me?"

The miko inwardly winced at his question. She knew he would be asking that sooner or later, and now she couldn't 'get out of it'.

Kagome knew that there was no easy way to answer his question and at the same time not break his heart, and went on to speak. "N-no.. I do not." Kouga looked down sadly. "I see." He felt like someone seriously punched him in the gut. And he knew he would carry that for a long while, whether he liked it or not.

"Because." He looked at her as she spoke up again. "I thought you only loved me because I could sense the jewel shards... That's what you said when you first 'claimed' me, anyway." She held the jewel that was around her neck protectively in her hand. "Kouga, you don't love someone because of their power or ability, you love them for being themselves. Just for who they are."

"I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you by saying that." He tried to say.

"I know that Kouga, but I'm sorry too... I fear that I sort of 'led you on' into thinking that I loved you." Kagome said quietly. She brought her knees to her chest and rested her head on her knees while encircling her arm around her shins. She looked at Kouga.

The wolf shook his head, "You didn't lead me on. I was just trying to impress you and... I just didn't leave you alone, I love being with you." Kouga was heartbroken that she didn't love him, and now spoke in a depressing voice.

"Kouga, I don't want to hurt you like this, I would never desire such a thing, but I can't lie about my feelings." They sat in silence until Kouga addressed her again. "I understand.." As he stood up, she stood up too, following his motion. "Kouga you know that Ayame still loves you. She always spoke of you fondly and admires you. You should giver her a chance." Kouga began to smile and nodded. "Yes, I'll have to get to know her a little bit better huh." He said.

"Yes, but be sure not to show off. We don't want you to scare her away now." She giggled. "All you need is to be yourself. That will always be enough." She smiled brightly and continued, "Just tell her how you feel and she'll be there for you, always." Kouga stared at her amazed by her words and went to give her a hug.

Kagome was surprised, but nonetheless, hugged him back.

Inuyasha watched and listened to the conversation, at first, feeling more than irritated. He his in a nearby tree and listened to what she said to him and smiled. Inuyasha loved her so much; he just had to tell her how he felt now. As soon as Kouga leaves that is. He held back the strong urge to kill the wolf prince as he hugged Kagome like that, but then sighed in relief as they pulled away from each other.

Kouga walked around Kagome and walked to the direction of the Noth, where his home were. Kagome turned around and watched him leave. Kouga stopped and turned his head to look back at Kagome, "As soon as I tell Ayame everything, I'm coming back here to help you guys fight Naraku. I fear he is coming soon." Kagome nodded and he turned back around, facing the forest. Kagome felt a tear slide down her cheek as she watched Kouga run at the speed he was remembered most for.

Kagome continued to watch him as Inuyasha came up behind her and laid a hand on her shoulder. She started crying more heavaily now, still watching to where Kouga ran off. "Kagome, what's wrong?" Asked Inuyasha.

"It's just...I know exactly how he feels... When you love someone so much, and yet they love another...It just... breaks your heart."

Inuyasha's eyes widened a moment later, now realizing that she wasn't talking about Kouga anymore, but himslef and Kikyo. Inuyasha released his hand from her shoulder and turned her around. Her tears slid down her cheeks and she wiped them away roughly. She hated it when others saw her cry.

"Kagome, I know what your thinking and it's not true."

"What do you mean?"

"I know you think I still love Kikyo, but I don't" He said in a more hushed voice. "And she knows this. That's what we talked about in the forest this morning." Kagome stopped cryinga little. She knew that because Kikyo told her when they were traveling here. "I guess I just had to hear that from you to believe it, and now I do."

Inuyasha wiped her cheeks gently to rid the tears for her, and suddenly got a mischievous grin.

"But, do you know who I love?" He asked, still grinning.

"Who." She said as she rolled her eyes and smiled.

Inuyasha put his hands behind his head casually and sighed, all the while still having that same smirk, "I love this one girl who has been there for me when I needed her most. This girl who always helps people even when they are mean to her. She feels no burden, attempts what is above her strength, and therefore undertakes all things," He said as he brought his brought his hands down and smiled at her gently.

"She is patient, kind, and is never boastful." He continued as he held her face with his hands. Kagome couldn't believe what he was saying and now cried of happiness. "She is not rude or self-seeking, she is my every hope, every dream, and every reason that I am alive."

Inuyasha kissed her lovingly and she kissed back. They hugged for a while and he pulled away to look at her. "But most of all..."

She waited to see what he was going to say, growing nervous by the second.

"She's my biggest pain in the ass." He said as he rolled his eyes. Kagome just burst out laughing and Inuyasha started laughing too. "Not as much a-as you are m-mine!" She said trying to contain her giggles. "Hey!" He said in a fake pout. They just laughed and kissed each other again. But what they didn't know at the moment was that they were soon in dreadful danger.

It was coming...

The evil was coming now...And worst of all.

Not a soul knew.