I have decided to change the 'chapters' to 'shades'. Being as I'm too lazy to change my already existing chapters now, it'll just continue from this one on. Actually, I think it'll help. Example; if you're scrolling to see the existing chapters, you'll know that the ones titled 'Shades' are the ones that have been replaced.

Enjoy-and review.

Dark Lineage

Shade Four

'Oh I can't face Inuyasha yet, but he can't possibly make me feel any worse than I do already. Ha...I'm getting up. I just wish I could remember what I made Inuyasha sit for.'

Shippo jumped into her arms, laughing with happiness. She grunted a bit with pain and surprise, but returned the hug just as affectionately. Sango knelt down next to her, her boomerang awkwardly slanting behind her.

"Nice to have you back, Kagome. Now we can finally get going, and the lecher will behave himself." She smiled, prompting a forced one from Kagome also. She struggled to stand up, but decided that it was best to stay on the ground when she saw the dark bruises on her legs.

"So, what happened?" She asked casually, gingerly touching one long streak. It throbbed, sending waves of heat up her finger and pain throughout her body. "It'll be nice to know why I got beat up when I had Inuyasha with me."

Inuyasha flushed, and muttered,

"I would've killed those demons."

"No, you wouldn't have." Kagome shot, making Inuyasha draw back in surprise. "They were kind to me."

"Kagome, just because they were nice doesn't mean that they mean well. You of all people should know how deceiving looks and acts can be." Reprieved Miroku sternly, troubled by the suddenly trusting Kagome.

"Whatever. Tetsaki taught me how to fight with the katana." She answered sullenly, trying to heal her injuries. Her blue light flashed a few times, but didn't heal her legs like she wanted them to. "What else happened?"

"After you fell asleep again, I put you on my back. I dunno how you stayed, but hey, it was okay I guess. That male demon just stared at me for a bit, especially this crappy rosary here. Then, he used a lot of youki and blew a tunnel straight through all that monster shit." Inuyasha hesitated, and decided to skip the part where he had tried to fight Tetsaki, and Kouga had restrained him, yelling all the while about how not every demon was worth fighting. The wolf demon had added a degrading comment about his hanyou lineage to the mix, but he had basically told him that Tetsaki was far stronger than both Inuyasha and himself. He had also nearly exploded Inuyasha's sensitive ears while going on about Tetsaki being good for protecting, as he said it, his woman.

"I would have stayed and gotten the truth, but the one with the mirror sent me through with some wall pushing me. The bastard just didn't want to face me head on."

"Inuyasha, you're leaving something out. But I don't care, because that's all I wanted to know. What happened to Tetsaki and Tesake?" asked Kagome impatiently, carefully concealing her knowledge of Kikyo.

"How the hell would I know?"

Sango cut in quickly, moving her body slightly to shield them from each other.

"The tunnel led directly to us. When we saw that he had you, um...the....tunnel also led outside. Yeah, it blew a hole in the side of the rock so we just went out." Sango paused, searching for a plausible alternative to what had really happened. "Kirara managed to hold all of us and we barely made shore here."

Kagome raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sure. She held 5 people and a heavy backpack." It had been done before, but there was a missing link in their stories.

Shippo barely caught himself from correcting her, that there were 7 people, and the soul collectors had carried three of them. Miroku caught the flicker of expression over the kitsune's face and shook his head slightly in warning. Luckily, Kagome didn't see the exchange of messages.

"Ha." She snorted, and a wave of light covered her. Kagome wasn't surprised by the quick healing; she'd learned that whenever her emotions got in the way her powers would manifest themselves conveniently. It only healed her minor wounds and sped up the recovery of the major one in her side. It was at the same place as where the jewel had been before. Inuyasha turned away, not responding to how similar to Kikyo she had looked, with her power lifting her hair and giving her face a peaceful glow. That look wasn't present on either of his mikos too much anymore.

"Miroku, Inuyasha, care to add some more to that?" she asked sadly, slowly getting up and going over to Kirara.

Miroku knew to keep his mouth shut; he hadn't planned any story with the others, which they should have. Inuyasha wanted to make things right, but the truth wouldn't have helped so he shook his head also.

Kagome closed her eyes and said softly,

"Somehow I expected that. I will find out what happened. You aren't good liars, and Tetsaki wouldn't just stand by, I know he wouldn't." Refusing to let her emotions speak too much about her attractive captor, she murmured to Kirara to take her back to the well, please.

'I am not a child. I can be told the truth, even if it does involve that stinking corpse he insists on staying with. I know already, and they know I know. Why can't we all just be honest with each other...'

Unnerved by where she was going, she quickly cleared her mind and concentrated on the fresh air of the clean morning.

She had gone home, and come back again. She had stayed for a week, a longer time than the usual two or three days. And when she returned, Inuyasha had not given her a second glance, only grunting to acknowledge her. The others had made up for it wonderfully, but it didn't help. Inuyasha was the one she wanted.

Refusing to begin searching unless she asked her nicely, and with him brooding over Kikyo and who knew what else, they made no progress for a few days.

And so, they had stayed put in the village for all this time. Kagome had not dared to tell her mother, or even Sango of what had happened at the fortress. How would she explain her actions? How could she explain the nightmares that no one had witnessed? How could she explain her sudden, compulsive attractions both to their fated enemy, Naraku, and his incarnation?

"Kagome, what are you doing?" asked Shippo. He was the only one undisturbed by the hidden currents around them. Kagome had been lying on the bank of the river, trailing her fingers. She had astounded herself with her agility, catching several fast minnows easily.

Kagome turned over, forced a smile onto her face, and said, "Nothing. Maybe you should tell Inuyasha that we should get going."

"NO WAY!" shouted Shippo, turning into his puffball form in agitation. "Have you seen him? My head starts to hurt whenever I even THINK about asking him."

She sighed, and muttered, "I suppose it's time to have a confrontation," as she got up, dusting off her legs. Shippo floated to the other side of the river, and ran into the trees, laughing maniacally.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome crept into the house. Inuyasha was sitting against a wall, staring into space, as usual. He didn't always stay at Kaede's hut, sometimes resting in the branches of larger trees. He also did not respond when she spoke.

"I really think we should get going. Every day we waste, the more shards Na-naraku is going to get."

He peered at her when she stumbled on Naraku's name, then wordlessly stood up.

"I'll get Miroku." He said emotionlessly, and moved to brush aside the covering.

"Sit." Kagome commanded sadly. If this is what it would take, then so be it. He would not ignore her any longer. It would be best if she got it over with now.

"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?" Inuyasha yelled/screamed uncharacteristically, picking his head up from the deep hole that had been made right outside Kaede's home.

"What do you think?! You've barely looked at me since we met up again at those Cliffs. I know Kikyo was with you, you can't hide it. You can't lie to me forever, why can't we have a little honesty? If you choose her, then tell me so I can stop fooling myself!" she yelled back, tears beginning to fall. Her emotions were displayed clearly on her face.

Inuyasha paused, stricken with the outburst. He had always suspected that his love for both was returned by at least one, but he had never expected Kagome to be the first to restate it. He opened his mouth after standing up, but couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't make him feel like a fool, especially if she had just blurted it out.

Kagome shoved past him, out of the hut, and headed to the edge of the village where she had put her backpack.

"Koga would be better than him, he didn't make me cry." Kagome muttered as she shoved things back into her backpack.

Sango started towards her, but when she saw her face, she quickly backed away, sensing her friend's need to be alone.

"Naraku, you didn't warn us." Stated Tetsaki flatly. He was bandaging his wounds, which while minor seeming, had been poisoned, thereby the need for the antidote to be applied to the bandages.

Naraku laughed evilly, than said quite calmly, "You should have learned from Kagura. Besides, it was necessary that they become confused. Those krakens had orders to attack you for real, and they paid from your swordsmanship. You're just lucky that that wolf demon managed to restrain Inuyasha, a blow from the Tetsusaiga and you would barely be alive. And, my emblem would be visible. While that may be advantageous, it isn't what I want to happen at the moment."

"Not only that, you bastard, where's Kagura?!" asked Tesake shrilly, jerking at the bandages, which only created more pain for herself.

"She'll be safe. I hold her heart. You must get ready; Kagome will be heading this way soon." He responded carelessly.

Tesake's eyes flashed, carefully controlled.

"What do you have planned for her? I can't guess myself, you've always known that the many plans you have surround the greater one only. You have to confide in someone! I cannot to this to her, we share a bond already."

Naraku sighed, and reminded her, "That's one of the weaknesses of the spirit and psychic demons, always bonding with the victims. You will see." He took the chance to provoke both subordinates, delighting in their anger.

Inuyasha stared after Kagome long after she had left. How did she know? A month ago, she wouldn't have thought of it, she's too kind-hearted to think that. She could have guessed, or did he slip up somewhere? He remembered the 'sit' that had come out of nowhere. It didn't seem to come from the unconscious Kagome, but it had to have. Now that he went over that time, he did say something about Kikyo...

What did Kagura say that night?

"Inuyasha."

He turned; his sword half-out. Kagura stood before him with a mocking smile playing about her lips. It began disappearing as she continued with her message.

"How is your beloved Kikyo doing? Much better than Kagome, isn't she? Much prettier, more powerful, what is less? At this rate, you'll be seeing more of her than Kagome. You know, her heart is getting darker every time you see Kikyo. There will be consequences. You had best see to what you truly want." She finished with a scowl, and summoned her feather, flying off.

What did that mean? It was obviously not something that he wanted to happen. He went to ask Kaede.

"Old hag, what does it mean when someone's heart is getting darker?!" he demanded after he landed heavily on the fence. It strained under the sudden weight and threatened to snap. In the back of his mind, he the hanyou prepared to leap off if that should happen.

Kaede slowly looked up from her weeds and said,

"It means that their emotions are getting more negative, and there is more sadness or anger present than happiness, or perhaps you are asking of love?" she paused, then went on,

"Why do you ask?"

"No reason, I just heard it somewhere." Inuyasha answered in partial relief. This may be the answer to Kagome's behavior. Maybe she hadn't meant what she said; it could be that she was just in a unsteady mood.

But if that wasn't going to be the answer, then what was?

Taking a chance, he ran back to where he had last seen Kagome. She wasn't there, but her scent was strong on the air, telling him that she was close nearby.

"I'm ready to go, you guys." He called out cautiously.

The birds tittered at him as Kagome rounded the corner and venomously glared. He started, annoyed that he hadn't heard her coming.

"I've been ready for the past 15 minutes. What about you?! You don't know how to prepare in a short amount of time? You didn't do anything for the entire time that I was away?!" she demanded angrily.

"Feh. This makes up for all the times that I've had to wait for you, shard-detector." He growled back mindlessly.

"Sit." She said calmly, swinging her backpack onto her back.

Kagome biked away with Sango, Shippo, and Miroku. They looked back often, but Inuyasha stayed still. Every time he tried to get up, Kagome would mutter 'sit' under her breath. His crater grew deeper and deeper. When the effects of the 'osuwari' spell wore off, he stayed for a few more minutes just to regain his mind. The villagers crowded around, gossiping about what the hanyou must have done this time.

A figure, draped in blood and gore, rose from the mess of bodies-or rather, limbs. Its clothing was torn, stained, and ripped beyond repair. Slowly, staggering as it rose, the head came up. Red eyes narrowed painstakingly.

Licking her lips, the demon tried to smile.

"I am free you bastard. Free from you." She fell again, but this time with hope, knowing that she would survive, and would be the stronger for it.

She would survive, and work against her former master. Thwarting the very plans she had help create would be a pleasure.

Kagura, the Wind Sorceress no more.

Kagura, the Independent was born.

"I want you to appear to Kagome, Tesake. Make her less innocent faster. There is too much to be done, I can't waste any more time. Do what you deem necessary, even arrange meetings between Inuyasha and Kikyo if need be. I need Kikyo in the group and Kagome out for half of my intentions to follow through." Naraku ordered in a clipped tone. Evidently, things were moving to slowly for him. He turned to Tetsaki and said,

"And as for you, you are to ignore her. I have no doubt that she will become attached to you, and I need her to fall for someone else."

His face impassive, Tetsaki nodded. You couldn't tell what he was thinking, but it was to be assumed that it was less than friendly.

Inuyasha walked defiantly alongside Miroku, daring him to say something. Shippo took the chance and asked sweetly, "Do you think dirt has any nutritional value, Inuyasha? 'Cause if it does, you must be the healthiest thing ever." He leapt aside nimbly, but was too slow.

Sporting several red bumps on his head, he yelled loudly, "Inuyasha eats dirt; Inuyasha loves the dirt 'cause Kagome tells him to love the dirt!" Inuyasha made a grab for him again, but lost.

Kagome looked back at the struggling pair.

"Shippo, come here."

The kitsune safe in the miko's arms, several hours passed buy without much else happening. In the late afternoon, Kagome winced, but didn't call for a stop. After a few more steps, she motioned for them to continue without waiting for her.

"Inuyasha, you should see how Kagome is doing. Her injury is quite serious." Sango pleaded after the hanyou had continued as she had asked, without the rest of the party. He stopped and whirled around slowly and reluctantly.

"Feh. It's not like she would care so much anymore, anyway." He replied as he walked over to her motionless form. He crouched down and met her dull brown eyes. They were unseeing, and when she was poked, it soon became apparent that she was asleep, and having a fitful dream.

"Inuyasha!" She saw him getting killed over and over again. Once by fire, by water, by Naraku, at his own hand-she must have seen every possible way he could have met his demise(s). She pleaded at each vision for him to stop, offering countless sacrifices for him, so that he could live. Each time, he refused, sometimes smiling, sometimes laughing, crying.

After his body was mangled, or laid peacefully at rest, his soul would always rise. In his living form, he was adorable. As a spirit, he was irresistible. Reaching futile arms out to the hanyou she could never have, Kagome cried as he drifted away.

Kikyo would inevitably come, hugging his soul and opening her void to hell for one last attempt.

It would succeed, as none other had.

Laughing sympathetically, they would descend, leaving her alone, broken and weak.

"No..." she whispered.

"No..." it echoed, and finished with a, "You are the only one who can prevent these from happening..."

She sat up with a start and shook her head, clearing the images from her mind. Inuyasha had also jumped when she moved, and now was sitting on his behind, hair slightly frazzled from the shock. It was a funny picture, and she would have laughed if not for the pictures that would not leave her vision.

"Kagome, are you feeling better?" he asked worriedly.

"You were w-with Kikyo ag-gain. It's gonna happen for real soon, I know it! You're gonna die, all those ways, one has to be true!" she conveyed hysterically. "And now that I'm wounded..." she trailed off, not voicing her worry that he would find her so much less attractive with her wounds, making her weak as well.

Inuyasha pulled her to him and palmed her cheek. He didn't want to show weakness, but felt it necessary to calm her down.

"Don't worry; you know I would never do that to you. How are your wounds?" he asked awkwardly.

Kagome looked down at her bandaged side and thigh.

Or rather, at the loose, bloody bandages that covered fresh, but faint scars.

"They're gone!" she whispered, showing shock that normally wouldn't be felt.

Inuyasha looked uncertain. He decided to call Miroku over to ask him what it meant. Kaede could give him a more complete answer, but she wasn't around. He knew that Kikyo could do healing, but she had usually closed her eyes and muttered something. Kagome couldn't control her powers, but this shouldn't happen. While before she had been wishing for them to heal, her emotions had handled the knowledge necessary. The healthy, pure glow had also been missing this time.

"Miroku, could you come over and explain this?" he yelled.

Miroku strolled leisurely over and glanced at Kagome. His eyes widened as he took in her dark aura.

Review darlings! Shade five coming out around...November 25th, as I'm anticipating. Apologies for all the line breaks, I need them. Also, if ya got a better idea for Kagura, the , tell me. I need some inspiration.