A/N: I hope you all like this chapter. I made it extra long by giving myself one more day to write it. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its wonderful characters

"" Dialogue

italics Thoughts

() A/N


Love's Labour Lost Chapter 20:

Inuyasha raised his head up from the dirt to see two fuzzy ankles. "I knew I smelled something foul"

"Where's Kagome Muttface?" Kouga demanded

"Why the hell would I tell a wimpy wolf like you!"

"Her scent is faint on you." Kouga mentioned sniffing the air, "You lost her again didn't you?"

"No!" Inuyasha started, loosing his drive as he finished, "She left"

"Then where is she now?"

"None of your business wolf!"

With that, the fighting began as usual. A hit connected here and there, but no major damage was done. As the two separated from each other for just a moment, Hirakotsu flew between them.

"Inuyasha! Kouga! Stop that right now!" Sango demanded as Kirara landed.

"We need to talk to you and get Kagome back. We will need her soon." Miroku added as he climbed off of Kirara.

"Naraku is plotting something" A familiar voice added as she landed beside them.


Kagome woke up and felt a warmth spreading through her body as she recalled the events from the pervious evening.

(Flashback)

As she and Sesshomaru broke apart they left the garden as Sesshomaru led them back to their rooms. As they arrived at Kagome's room, Sesshomaru leaned down and gently kissed her goodnight as he left for his own room. Kagome changed and climbed into bed as she drifted into a restless dream. Kagome saw a battle raging between Sesshomaru and a demon she did not know. Sesshomaru obviously had the upper hand, but the demon sent an attack straight at Sesshomaru. He easily dodged the attack, but the attack headed straight towards Kagome and just as it was about to hit her, she shot up screaming and dripping in sweat.

A moment later the door burst open to see a flustered Sesshomaru standing before her prepared to defend her.

"I had a nightmare" Kagome apologized.

"Are you alright?"
"I'm okay, just a little shaken up"

Kagome hugged herself as Sesshomaru walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her and stayed with her until she fell asleep.

(End Flashback)

"Good morning love" Sesshomaru whispered into her ear

"Good morning. Thank you for staying with me. Wait, did you just call me love?"

"Is that a problem?" Sesshomaru asked as he nuzzled into her neck.

"No, not at all. This is a new side of you. I think I've decided." Kagome started. "You passed the test" She began to giggle as she felt Sesshomaru smile against her neck.


"Kagura!" Inuyasha and Kouga yelled at once. Both then proceeded to launch themselves at her only to be blocked by Sango and Miroku.

"Calm down both of you!" Miroku ordered

"You are so damn hot-headed. She and Kanna are helping us"

"Sure they are" Inuyasha retorted.

"Here you pathetic dog. My peace offering" Kagura stated as she held out a considerable amount of jewel shards.

"How did you get those? That is almost 10 shards" Inuyasha asked

"Naraku created a few incarnations that even with a few jewel shards their powers paled to mine and Kanna. Kanna is currently showing Naraku a battle raging between you and them. She will show him his incarnations being destroyed and have you retrieve the shards as I make my timely escape"

"Why help us?"

"I want Naraku dead just as much as you" Kagura responded. "If he dies, I am free"

"Then what do you want with us?"

"Naraku is plotting something, something involving your priestess."

"Kagome" Inuyasha breathed, "I have to get to her now! I need to protect her"

"Your protection is unneeded Inuyasha" a voice called from the shadows.

"Who's there! Show yourself" Inuyasha demanded spinning towards the direction of the voice.

Naoki stepped out from the forest and the group was in awe of her physical features.

"It's been a long time Inuyasha"

"Do I know you?"

Naoki was hurt by Inuyasha's innocent question and barely managed out a reply. "I shouldn't have assumed that you would remember me. It has been almost 70 years"

"70 years...?" Inuyasha murmured as a memory returned to him.

(Flashback)

"Don't forget me okay?" Naoki called as she followed Sesshomaru. "I'll never forget you Inuyasha. You better not forget me!"

(End Flashback)

Inuyasha walked forward and embraced Naoki as he whispered into her ear, "I'm so sorry Naoki. It has been so long, but that is no excuse"

"Ummm, Inuyasha?" Sango interrupted.

"Oh yeah. This is Naoki" Inuyasha introduced, "She was a friend of mine when we were kids"

"Hello, I am Naoki. I am the personal servant of Lord Sesshomaru"

"Sesshomaru!" everyone replied in unison

"So, you stood by him did you?" Inuyasha mumbled.

"There is much you do not know or understand. Your brother does not hate you or your human blood. He is kind to humans and Rin and Kagome have brought out the love that you both inherited from your father."

"Kagome?" Inuyasha asked startled by Naoki's statement

"I hate to interrupt, but I must return" Kagura voiced "We shall be in touch" and with that she was gone.

"Inuyasha, I assure you that Kagome is safe. I have personally cared for her. So please, do me this one favor" Naoki asked.

"Of course, what is it?" Inuyasha asked, a softness in his voice none of his friends had ever heard before.

"Rest here tonight and let me explain everything to you before you go barging into the castle. Give her time in the Western Lands"

"You want me to leave her with Sesshomaru for longer!"

"Please, I beg you. Trust me, as the friend you trusted long ago"

"I do trust you Naoki, but I failed Kagome once and ..."

"Then don't fail her again" Naoki interrupted before he could continue. "Give her time to sift through her thoughts and feelings."

"Sango, I believe we should give them space" Miroku whispered.

"I agree, there is a river nearby. Shippo, Kirara, come with us"

As they all walked away, Naoki and Inuyasha watched them go.

"Naoki, what aren't you telling me? I know you. You're hiding something, something important."

Well yeah, which do you want first Inuyasha? That I love you or that the woman you love is in love with Sesshomaru and they will soon be mates! Naoki thought angrily.

"Naoki?" Inuyasha asked interrupting her thoughts.

"I missed you so much Inuyasha" Naoki started as she embraced her love and lost friend. "You never came to see me. You never came home"

"HOME!" Inuyasha started, pulling away to look at her "How can you call that home. My home, with that bastard?" As soon as he said that Naoki had pulled away and slapped Inuyasha.

"You understand nothing! You have no idea what I have been through. You think it's hard being a half-demon, that no one could care about you because of your blood, let alone your brother. I have been to hell and back Inuyasha, and Sesshomaru was there for me every step of the way. What about you! Your stubborn pride kept you from coming home, kept you from me."Naoki burst out as tears began to fall, "I needed you, I needed my best friend. I, I loved you , but you obviously didn't care enough to even remember me, let alone put aside your hatred for your brother to see that you could be wrong. You never even considered you could have it all wrong. You couldn't have even accepted that idea. You met Kikyo and you forgot all about us. About your father, your mother, your brother, your heritage, and you forgot about me" Naoki barely finished as tears poured from her eyes. Tears of frustration and pain that she had been holding in for years.

"Naoki" was all that Inuyasha could manage out as he wrapped his arms around her and let her cry into his shoulder. He wished he could just make the pain go away, heal all her wounds, bring back his friend that he had forgotten and ignored for far too long.

Naoki, what have I done to you? I promise you, I won't leave you again. I, I love you too Naoki, and I'll prove myself to you. I won't lose another woman I care about.


A/N: Okay, there you have it! For all of you Inu lovers out there be glad, he will be happy. I decided I couldn't let him be depressed forever. Oh and yes Jake is not Sesshomaru's servant in my story. He's a pesky little vassal that just tags along with him. Naoki is the rightful servant. Please review!