AN:: Dang ya'll!! I got tons of reviews for chapter 19 in a matter of hours...but ya slacked off with chapter 20 damn ya took forever to reach 10 reviews!! Hopefully this chapter will get ya review'n more....at least I broke 100 reviews!! YAY so this chapter is nice and long....I've been waiting to write this one since I started!! And by the way...I'm so tired of getting hardly any reviews, taking forever to get 10 I'll only be updating once a week now.

Chapter 21 Last Shard

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Inuyasha and Kagome head back to the village. Inuyasha was still carrying Kagome. Kagome had given up on getting him to put her down.

(Kagome) ::sigh:: It's boring getting carried all the time. I'm going to end up being lazy all the time.

(Inuyasha) Fine ::he sets her down and gives her the bag:: Then you can carry that too. It'll get rid of your lazy ideas.

::Kagome grumbles trying to carry her bag::

(Inuyasha) Hey you wanted to walk ::evil smile::

::Kagome glares at him so he takes her bag::

(Inuyasha) There you can walk. But so you're not so slow I'll carry it.

(Kagome) ::Rolls eyes:: Always have to be a sweet jerk

::They enter the village. Shippo comes running and jumps on Kagome::

(Shippo) You're Back!! YAY!

::Kagome hugs him::

(Kagome) Wasn't gone long Shippo. What you can't last a night without me? ::smiles::

(Shippo) Miroku and Sango were acting weird!

(Inuyasha) What do you mean?

(Shippo) Sango went looking for rumors about the shard leaving me behind with Miroku. Miroku got ticked and depressed. Don't know when Sango got back though cuz I went to sleep to get away from Miroku.

::Kagome laughs::

(Inuyasha) Come on... ::pulls Kagome along into Kaede's hut::

::Sango is leaning against a wall holding her boomerang in her lap. Miroku was no where to be seen::

(Kagome) Hey Sango

::Sango looks up at her::

(Sango) You're back already? I thought you'd wait another day.

(Inuyasha) Wanted to get back, we need to find that last shard. Kagome wanted me to wait another day and I did ::crosses his arms::

::Kagome rolls her eyes::

(Kagome) You just wanted to get away from my grandfather!

(Sango) ::laughs:: The seals again?

(Inuyasha) He was throwing them at me what I was human!!

::Kagome starts laughing::

(Inuyasha) So where's the lecher?

(Sango) I don't know. He just said he'd be back soon.

(Inuyasha) Shippo said you had gone looking for rumors...

(Sango) ::nods:: Yeah. The only demon villagers mentioned was Sesshomaru.

(Kagome) Sesshomaru?

(Sango) They think he has it.

(Inuyasha) ::cracks knuckles:: I'll kill him! Get rid of two things at once!

(Kagome) Let's wait for Miroku to get back then we'll go hunting for Sesshomaru.

(Sango) I hope he's okay. He was complaining before thinking I think he's bad in a fight but I don't......

(Kagome) Relax Sango

::Inuyasha shifts his weight from one leg to the other::

(Inuyasha) I'll wait outside.... ::he leaves the hut::

(Kagome) Even Inuyasha can tell you love Miroku.

(Sango) KAGOME!

(Kagome) So you do love him?!

(Sango) Well....yeah...I do love him....

::Kagome squeals and gives her friend a huge hug::

(Kagome) You HAVE to tell him!

~*~

Miroku POV (about an hour earlier)

Off in the forest not far from the village. Close enough so when Inuyasha and Kagome got back, Inuyasha would be able to find him easily.

(Miroku) 'If Sango can get time to her self then I can and deserve time to myself to think' ::walks along and climbs a low tree and sits on a branch about 12 ft from the ground below:: 'What would Sango do if I asked her to bear my child? The curse is gone so she wouldn't have to worry about me dying on her like that. But...does she love me? Yeah I can tell she has feeling for me but does she love me? Do I even love her?' ::he sits there contemplating for 15 minutes:: 'What was that?' ::looks down through the leaves:: 'Is that....Sesshomaru?'

(Sesshomaru) Jaken stop your complaining unless you wish to die.

(Jaken) I am sorry Lord Sesshomaru ::bows::

(Sesshomaru) I can smell that annoying human priest that travels with my hanyou brother. His scent is in this forest.

(Jaken) It's all over the forest Lord Sesshomaru.

::Miroku stops himself from fearing Sesshomaru because then his scent would change and then he would be found::

(Sesshomaru) I hate the stench humans leave behind.

::Rin skips into the clearing holding flowers::

(Rin) For you Sesshymaru! ::hands him the flowers::

(Jaken) Why would the Lord of the Western Lands want flowers?

::Sesshomaru takes the flowers from Rin::

(Sesshomaru) Do NOT call me Sesshymaru!

(Rin) Why Sesshy-sama?

(Sesshomaru) Don't call me that!

(Rin) Why?

::Sesshomaru groans not wanting to argue with the girl::

(Sesshomaru) Fine

(Jaken) Why take this from a human, Lord Sesshomaru? You have the last shard with that power...

(Sesshomaru) Quiet!

::Miroku slides in the tree shocked at what he just heard::

(Miroku) 'He has the last shard'

::Sesshomaru pays no notice to the shuffling leaves::

(Sesshomaru) Come we will get the Tetsusiaga from the weakling later.

::Sesshomaru leads Jaken and Rin in the direction opposite of the village::

(Miroku) 'He still wants the Tetsusiaga? And he has the last shard!'

::Miroku stays in the tree waiting for another 20 minutes to make sure they were gone::

~*~

Back with the other members of the Shard Crew...(Time back to what it was)

Inuyasha stands outside the hut watching for Miroku. Shippo is floating near him as the bubble of Shippo.

(Inuyasha) Where is that damn lecher! We're so post to go get the last shard!

::Kagome and Sango walk out of the hut::

(Kagome) Stop complaining Inuyasha. Haven't you learned any patience?

(Inuyasha) Feh! ::crosses arms across chest::

(Kagome) Guess not.

::Sango and Shippo both laugh. The Bubble of Shippo bumps into Inuyasha's head::

(Inuyasha) Back off kitsune! ::punches the bubble away::

(Kagome) ::rushes to the now untransformed Shippo:: Are you alright Shippo?

(Shippo) He's mean! ::hides in Kagome's arms::

(Kagome) It's okay Shippo. Inuyasha is just a jerk ::smiles at Inuyasha::

(Inuyasha) Bitch ::glares at her::

(Kagome) Yeah, but you love me anyway!

::Inuyasha just stares at her::

(Inuyasha) 'Did she just admit to being a Bitch?' ::laughs::

(Kagome) See I'm right! ::sets Shippo down::

(Shippo) HEY!

(Sango) ::rolls eyes:: Ya'll are pathetic!

::Miroku comes running towards them out of breath. He stops in front of them::

(Sango) What's wrong Miroku?

(Miroku) ::breathing hard:: Sesshomaru....last shard....wants Tetsusiaga....Rin called him...Sesshy....and he let her!! ::catches breath leaning down on his knees::

(Kagome) He has the last shard?

(Inuyasha) He's letting Rin call him Sesshy?!

::starts laughing hysterically soon joined by the rest::

(Inuyasha) I'm gonna call him Sesshy for now on!

::Kagome nods laughing::

(Sango) ::finally stops laughing:: How'd you find out Miroku-chan?

(Miroku) I over heard them in Inuyasha Forest. Sesshy could smell my scent but he wrote it off cuz he said he could smell a bunch of human scents.

(Kagome) He does have the shard?

(Miroku) Yeah, He's going to use it to try to get the Tetsusiaga.

(Inuyasha) So all we have to do is fight Sesshy again? ::laughs::

(Sango) Just now he has a jewel shard. He'll be faster. You've had trouble fighting him before...

(Inuyasha) Shut up! I can handle it!

(Kagome) 'Then we'd have the entire Shikkon no Tama... Then maybe....somehow....'

(Sango) Kagome?

::Kagome's eyes come back to focus, Sango's voice had pulled her out of her thoughts::

(Kagome) What? ::blinking her eyes::

(Sango) You okay?

::Inuyasha looks at Kagome worry in his eyes::

(Kagome) I'm fine was just thinking. So what are we going to do about Sesshy?

::They all start laughing again::

(Inuyasha) Sesshy! Priceless!! ::laughing hard::

(Kagome) SO how are we going to get the shard from him?

::Silence::

(Inuyasha) Fight him

~*~

Later that Day...

The group is sitting inside of one of the villages extra huts. Shippo is dozing leaning start a sleeping Kirara. The rest of the crew is sitting closer to the fire, in a circle talking.

(Sango) So if he wants the Tetsusiaga why is he taking so long?

(Miroku) Normally he would have attacked by now. He has a shard so he's waiting? Last time he couldn't wait to fight Inuyasha for it.

(Kagome) But last time he didn't have Rin

(Inuyasha) Sesshy has a weakness! He actually loves a human!

(Kagome) What's wrong with a demon loving a human?!

::Inuyasha looks at her sitting beside him and gulps::

(Inuyasha) There's nothing wrong with it.

(Kagome) ::giggles:: What you actually think I'm mad cuz of that!

(Inuyasha) ::glares:: For the past 2 days that's how you've been acting taking anything and getting mad at me for it!

(Kagome) I have not!

(Miroku) Ah love!

(Kagome and Inuyasha) SHUT UP MIROKU!

::Kagome hits Miroku upside the head and Sango starts laughing::

(Inuyasha) Good hit!

(Kagome) Thanks

(Miroku) Hey!

::Sango rolls her eyes::

(Sango) Can we get back to the issue at hand?

(Miroku) Fine with me

(Inuyasha) Feh!

(Kagome) Keh!

::Inuyasha puts an arm around Kagome's waist and pulls her closer to him. Then stands pulling her up with him::

(Inuyasha) To get the shard we have to find him.

::walks out of the hut with Kagome, they were soon followed by the rest of the crew (including Shippo and Kirara)::

(Kagome) To get to Sesshy easier we should get Rin

(Sango) Get Rin?

(Kagome) Not hurt her! It would just get Sesshy off balance, him worrying about her. Making the fight easier for Inuyasha.

(Inuyasha) But to get to her we'd have to get through Sesshy, so it'd be a waste.

(Kagome) Oh well, so I didn't think it through.

::the shard crew enters Inuyasha Forest and head deep into it::

(Miroku) Now all we have to do is find him.

(Inuyasha) Quiet! ::unsheathes the Tetsusiaga::

(Sango) What?

::Sesshomaru steps out of the trees with Jaken::

(Sesshomaru) Seems I have found you before you were able to fine me ::the usual no emotion::

(Inuyasha) ::steps in front of Kagome:: Get ready to die Sesshy!

(Sesshomaru) ::shows emotion of shock for a brief second:: What did you call me?

(Inuyasha) Sesshy, isn't that what Rin calls you? It's your new nickname.

(Sesshomaru) Prepare to die weakling!

(Jaken) You all will die! My lord has the last shard!

::The shard crew shows no surprise to that statement::

(Inuyasha) Already knew that

::Inuyasha runs at Sesshy ready to cut him in half. Sesshy dodges using his speed. Miroku and Sango stand ready to help at any chance. Kagome had begun throwing large rocks at Jaken's head::

(Kagome) ::throwing rocks:: Stupid little toad!!

(Jaken) Stupid Human! ::goes to hit Kagome with his staff::

::Kagome easily dodges and pulls out her bow and shoots Jaken in the head with an arrow::

(Kagome) DIE!! ::the arrow glows::

::Jaken gasps and falls dead::

(Kagome) Well that was easy

::Sango and Miroku look at her shocked::

(Kagome) What? ::watches Inuyasha and Sesshy fight::

(Inuyasha) Die Bastard! ::goes to cut Sesshy with his claws::

(Sesshy) Wimp! ::dodges::

::Inuyasha and Sesshy run at each other each trying to slice the other using their claws. Sesshomaru hits Inuyasha with his green poison whip. Inuyasha flies back into a tree. Sesshy goes to use his poison claws::

(Sesshy) Prepare to die hanyou brother!

::Inuyasha swipes at Sesshy with the Tetsusiaga cutting his brother across the chest. Inuyasha uses that moment to get in the center of the clearing so he wouldn't be trapped again. Sesshomaru turns and puts a hand on the wound, blood covering his fingers::

(Inuyasha) The first of many! IRON REVERSE SOUL STEALER!

::Inuyasha runs at Sesshy. Sesshomaru avoids the attack some of his hair getting cut by Inuyasha's strike. Rin wanders into the clearing looking for her Sesshy-chan::

(Rin) Sesshy! ::Almost gets hit by Inuyasha's latest attack. Kagome grabs her::

(Sesshomaru) ::turns towards Kagome:: Let her go.

(Kagome) Why? I'm not hurting her. ::glare::

(Sesshy) Then die

::He pulls Rin from Kagome and slashes Kagome with his claws. Kagome collapses to her knees bleeding::

(Kagome) 'Oh my God...'

(Sango) Kagome!! ::rushes to her fallen friend::

(Rin) ::sees Kagome:: What did you do to Kagome, Sesshy-chan?

::Sesshomaru pushes Rin out of the clearing::

(Sesshomaru) Go back to where I left you before Rin. Now.

::Rin runs off and Inuyasha slashes Sesshomaru at the neck. Sesshy doesn't have enough time to react and end up with a gash on the back of his neck::

(Sesshomaru) BASTARD!

(Inuyasha) Oh such language coming from a Demon Lord.

::Sesshy cuts Inuyasha with his poison claws::

(Inuyasha) AHHHH! ::Steps back and supports himself with the Tetsusiaga. Then he sees Kagome's unconscious bleeding body::

(Inuyasha) What did you do to my Kagome!?

::Sesshomaru's eyes show slight shock before fading. Inuyasha goes at Sesshomaru with new strength and speed::

(Sango) Kagome....Kagome wake up! ::Crying::

::Miroku is kneeling beside Kagome trying to stop the bleeding with a cloth::

(Miroku) ::hands Sango the cloth:: Take care of Kagome. I'll try to help Inuyasha.

(Shippo) Wake up Kagome!

::Shippo uses his fox fire as a shield around himself, Sango and Kagome::

(Inuyasha) You're going to pay!

::Slashes at Sesshomaru cutting him again. When getting ready for another stab at Sesshomaru, Inuyasha was flung back. Sesshy had used his whip to force him back. Sesshomaru slashes his claws into Inuyasha's stomach. Inuyasha stumbles to his knees::

(Inuyasha) ::screams in pain:: Ahhhh!!

(Kagome) ::Faintly:: Inuyasha....

(Inuyasha) ::hears her:: KAGOME!!

::Inuyasha stands and quickly slashes Sesshomaru. The shard flies from his body and Miroku catches it::

(Sesshy) ::struggling to stand and move:: You win...for now

::Sesshomaru is covered and surrounded by a blinding light. The light caused the humans of the shard crew to pass out. Inuyasha covered his eyes from the light. The light fades minutes later::

(Inuyasha) Kagome....

::Inuyasha stumbles over to Kagome. Shippo's fox fire shield collapses as the kitsune passes out from the effort. Inuyasha takes the Shikkon no Tama off from around Kagome's neck and adds the last shard, which he had taken from Miroku's hand. Then he holds the jewel in his left hand and uses his right hand, which is covered in his and Kagome's blood by now, to check Kagome's pulse::

(Inuyasha) No, Kagome...you can't...

::Kagome's pulse is fading::

(Inuyasha) ::holding Kagome's right hand in his:: You can't die on me!! ::her pulse gets fainter:: 'She's gonna die...she's lost too much blood' ::He looks at the jewel in his left hand:: 'If I could wish....' I wish Kagome could live...so we could be together....forever

::Inuyasha's strength runs out and he collapses on top of Kagome::

(Kagome) ::faintly:: Inuyasha.... ::faints pulse weakens::

::The jewel rises into the air about them. A bright silvery pink light flashes covering everything in its light. The jewel zooms down towards their bodies......::

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Cliff Hanger!!! Maybe this will get me the reviews I so rightfully deserve. Is Kagome gonna die? Is Inuyasha going to be able to live? What happened to Sesshomaru? What's up with the rest of the shard crew? Is this the end? Yeah this is the end if I don't get a decent amount of reviews! Remember I'm only updating once a week now....... and I still want at least 10 reviews for each chapter. So if a week goes by and I still haven't gotten 10 reviews...no update. Remember to R&R!!! -Lor