Well here it is. The last chapter. Thank to to everyone who had reviewd. You guy's have made this worth it.

"I feel like a total fool" grumbled Inu-Yasha from his perch on Kagome's shoulder.

"Oh I don't know," said Kagome, "the disguise seems pretty convincing to me".

"Yah well it wont fool anybody at close range" said Inu-Yasha. Inu-Yasha had been smeared with the contents of some ketchup packets from Kagome's backpack and had had some dirt rubbed on him. Needless to say Inu-Yasha looked like somebody's chew toy and felt like a total idiot.

"Quiet" whispered Kagome, "it's just over the next hill".

Inu-Yasha fell silent and tried his best to stay absolutely still as Kagome climbed the hill and proceeded through the barrier.

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"Do you think this will work?" whispered Sango from her spot in the bushes. The others had been following Kagome and Inu-Yasha at a distance and were now crouched a few hundred yards away from the barrier.

"I sure hope so" replied Miroku.

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Kagome was about half way across the main courtyard leading up to the entrance of the castle when Naraku's voice floated towards her. "A little late in returning I see".

"He was more trouble then I thought" said Kagome as she lay Inu-Yasha on the ground, facedown in case he grimaced or something.

"Indeed?" said Naraku. He stepped out of the castle and walked a little closer.

"Yah" said Kagome nudging Inu-Yasha with her foot, "he put up quite a fight. But he gave in eventually. In the end I don't think he had it in him to finish me off"

"That is what I thought," said Naraku, "which is why I sent you to finish him off. Not that it mattered" Naraku stopped a few paces away and frowned down at Inu-Yasha. "He was no more then a little thorn in my side".

"Really?" said Kagome nudging Inu-Yasha a second time, "seems to me like we caused you plenty of trouble".

Naraku narrowed his eyes. He didn't like the tone Kagome was taking with him. "Reguardless" he said, "that thorn is gone now". Naraku turned to head back into the castle. "Come" he said, "we still have some things to discuss".

That's as close as he's going to get thought Kagome. She nudged Inu-Yasha a third time to give him the signal then leapt back and crouched down.

"What is the meaning of this?" shouted Naraku. He spun around to find the tip of the tessaiga pointed right at his face.

"Hey there" said Inu-Yasha, "thank you for inviting us in".

"You betrayed me girl" snarled Naraku.

"Betrayed you?" snapped Kagome, "even when I was working with you I wasn't on your side".

"Fools" hissed Naraku, "do you really believe you can defeat me?"

"Your the one that's about to get spitted pal" snarled Inu-Yasha.

Total silence reigned for a few seconds, as the world seemed to stand still. Then Inu-Yasha surged forward impaling Naraku. "Got you" he snarled.

Naraku's head rolled forward and he laughed. "Fool" he said, "did you really think I would fall for such a ploy?"

"It's one of his Golem's" whispered Kagome as realisation dawned on her. "Naraku" she screamed, "where did you go".

Naraku's cruel laugh echoed though the castle as the golem dissolved. "Oh don't worry" he said, "you'll find me soon enough. I just thought I would play along with your little ploy for the time being. And don't worry, your little friends will be quite all right outside the barrier".

"Where the hell is he?" snarled Inu-Yasha.

Kagome thought for a second then grabbed Inu-Yasha's hand and pulled him toward the castle. "This way" she said.

Kagome led Inu-Yasha to the room she had met Naraku in the first time she had visited the castle. They found him standing there holding something in his hand. "Welcome" he said grinning wickedly.

"Shove it" snapped Inu-Yasha. Inu-Yasha launched himself at Naraku swinging his sword in low but stopped cold when he heard Kagome scream. He looked back to see the girl writhing on the floor in agony.

"Oh" said Naraku feigning concern, "I'm sorry did that hurt?"

"Bastard" snarled Inu-Yasha taking a step forward, "what did you do to her".

"Uh-uh" said Naraku waving a finger at Inu-Yasha, "one more step and she dies. You see she came to me because I planted the urge to do so in her mind. But that is not all".

"Just spit it out" snapped Inu-Yasha.

"Temper temper" said Naraku. He gave the object in his hand a squeeze and Kagome screamed again. "I left a small barb in her that secretes a very potent poison when I squeeze this". Naraku held up what looked to be a small brown rubber ball. "in small amounts it can only cause a demon great pain" explained Naraku, "but if I crush this…" Naraku left his words hanging though Inu-Yasha could guess at what would happen.

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The pain was excruciating. Kagome had lost all senses other then how terribly her body was burning from the poison. Get up said a voice inside Kagome's head.

I can't she thought, it hurts to much.

You must said the voice, I know you can do it.

Fine thought Kagome, I'll try.

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Naraku's eyes grew wide when he saw Kagome struggle to her feet. "this isn't possible" he hissed.

"I gave into you once before Naraku" hissed Kagome, "never again". She lunged at Naraku who responded by squeezing the ball harder. Kagome fell to her knees and screamed louder then ever.

"You bastard" snarled Inu-Yasha, "leave her out of this".

"Why?" said Naraku, "she is as much a thorn in my side as any of you. But she was a thorn I was able to use".

"You won't use any of us ever again" snapped Kagome. The girl surged up off the floor and charged Naraku. Naraku squeezed the ball in an attempt to stop Kagome again but, though she staggered, Kagome kept coming.

"Fine" hissed Naraku raising the ball in preparation to crush it, "then die".

"I don't think so," yelled Inu-Yasha who Naraku had made the mistake of ignoring. Inu-Yasha swung his sword down in an arc and sliced the ball in half taking some of Naraku's fingers with it.

Naraku screamed in pain as the poison in the ball poured out over his open wounds. With the ball gone the barb in Kagome's body evaporated and she crashed into Naraku sending them both tumbling out the window and down into the courtyard below.

The pair landed with a crash and Kagome leapt back once they did. Inu-Yasha dropped down to land neatly next to Kagome.

"You okay?" he asked.

Kagome nodded and glared at Naraku who was struggling to his feet. "Now to finish you off" she snarled, "have anything to say before we finish you off?"

Naraku smiled faintly as he cradled his damaged arm. "I will say this," he said, "well played. But I was prepeared just in case. And now, farewell".

"No" shouted Kagome and Inu-Yasha as they simultaneously lunged for Naraku. They were an instant too late though and stumbled through the trail of Miasma Naraku left in his wake as he flew away.

"Damn it" snarled Kagome slamming her fist into the ground as the castle dissolved.

"Kagome" said Inu-Yasha as he re-sheathed his sword, "he's gone".

Kagome wheeled around and glared at Inu-Yasha, her eyes flashing. Her gaze softened when she saw Inu-Yasha's concerned face though. "sorry" she mumbled turning away, a single tear running down her cheek. "it's just that…"

Kagome trailed off when she felt Inu-Yasha's arms wrap around her from behind. "I know" he said, "we'll get him next time. Let's head back to Kaede's village".

Kagome nodded and the pair walked back to where the others were waiting.

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it had been a week since the incident at Naraku's castle and Kagome was sitting up in a tree at the edge of the village. Truth be told she had barely mouved from that spot since returning and explaining everything that had happened to Kaede. Kouga had taken off soon after with more then one comment on how Kagome was probably better off now and so on but she had ignored him.

Kagome caugt a faint rustle and a scent then and knew Inu-Yasha had landed in a branch not to far away. "Hey Inu-Yasha" she said.

"Hi" replied Inu-Yasha hopping onto Kagome's branch and settling down next to her. "Something on your mind?" he asked.

"Just, thinking about a friend" said Kagome, "well, a few friends actually".

Inu-Yasha chuckled. "Would I be one of them?" he asked.

"Maybe" admitted Kagome.

"Maybe?" said Inu-Yasha, "with an answer like that there is no way that's all your thinking about".

"It's just…" began Kagome before trailing off.

"Oh come on" scoffed Inu-Yasha, "you aren't still on about that are you?"

"No" said Kagome, "now I'm thinking about how to explain this to my family".

"Really?" said Inu-Yasha. When Kagome didn't respond Inu-Yasha continued "look" he said, "if we can accept you your family should be able to".

"You think so?" said Kagome.

Inu-Yasha shrugged. "Sure" he said, "they're a lot nicer then mine that's for sure".

Kagome chuckled at the though of Sesshoumaru apologising to Inu-Yasha for being a jerk to him. "I suppose your right," she said looking over at Inu-Yasha. "Thank you for not leaving me Inu-Yasha"

Inu-Yasha shrugged. "Why would I?" he said smiling warmly at her.

Kagome blinked. "Inu-Yasha I…" she began before getting cut off when Inu-Yasha took her head in his hands.

"Don't say anything" he said, "you don't need to". The two leaned forward.

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Kagome's dream

"Your leaving?" said Kagome.

Kenda nodded at her. "I can't screw around with you life forever" he said.

"What about redeeming yourself?" asked Kagome.

Kenda shrugged. "I don't know" he said, "I can't do anything for either of us at this point. Besides, you have the others".

Kagome blushed. She knew exactly whom he was referring to. "So no more advice from the endless pool of knowledge that is Kenda?" said Kagome.

Kenda though for a second before saying "a couple. Whatever you do don't be afraid of the future. You can't control it but you can rise to meet it".

Kagome chuckled. "That a fancy way of saying 'shit happens?'" she asked.

Kenda laughed. "I suppose it is," he said. "You have changed Kagome. But not for the worse it seems. Oh and the other thing. That kitsune you travel with".

"Shippo?" said Kagome, "what about him?"

"he has a lot of potential" explained Kenda, "I have left the knowledge needed to find my fortress with you. Should he ever choose to there are some books there that could help him".

"Got it," said Kagome.

"Now I must leave," said Kenda as he began to fade away, "who knows. Maybe I'll see you again on the other side"

"Funny" said Kagome, "you would think I had an eternity now".

"Not even eternity last's forever" said Kenda, "farewell my lovely lady. Stay true to yourself". With that Kenda was gone.

"Farewell" said Kagome, a single tear running down her cheek.

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The real world

Kagome stirred and woke up to find herself still in the tree. Only this time Inu-Yasha was there with his arms wrapped protectively around her. Kagome purred and Inu-Yasha chuckled at her. "Good sleep?" he asked.

"Just dreaming" replied Kagome as she gave Inu-Yasha a light kiss on the cheek.

"Bout what?" asked Inu-Yasha.

"Saying goodbye to someone" said Kagome as she disentangled herself from Inu-Yasha and hopped down from the tree.

Inu-Yasha followed suit and the pair headed for the village.

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Kagome climbed back out of the well with a full backpack to find Inu-Yasha and the others waiting for her. "So" said Inu-Yasha helping her out of the well, "how did it go?"

"Aside from Grandpa trying to exorcise me it went fine," said Kagome.

Inu-Yasha raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. "And the others?" he said.

"Mom was the one that calmed Grandpa down" explained Kagome. "after some explaining on my part anyway. She was hesitant to let me come back but in the end she let me. Souta just commented on how cool I looked".

"See?" said Inu-Yasha, "I told you, you had nothing to worry about".

"Wow Inu-Yasha was right" commented Miroku.

"What's that supposed to mean?" snapped Inu-Yasha.

"Oh come on Inu-Yasha" said Kagome wrapping her arms around the hanyou, "he was only joking".

Inu-Yasha shook his head but smiled despite himself as everyone shared a good laugh.

Despite everything that had happened life was back to normal, mostly anyway. Not that life was ever normal for anybody in this little group. "It's not fair," said Inu-Yasha putting on a fake pout, "why am I stuck as a hanyou when Kagome, who was human, becomes a full demon?"

"Aw come on it isn't all bad," said Kagome tickling Inu-Yasha's ear.

Inu-Yasha sighed. "I suppose so," he said smiling at Kagome.

"Ugh" said Shippo as he hopped onto Kagome's shoulder, "get a room you two". The group shared another good laugh. Oh yah, despite everything, life was good.

The End

Author's notes

Well that's it. I may add an epilogue but don't hold your breath cus I want to get on with my other stories. I will however post a page answering any questions you still have. Send in your review's cus all will be answered and all will be greatly appreciated. Ciao!