Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha…only the movie on dvd)


Chapter 12 - Once More

"I don't understand…my father said he killed you."

Kikyo chuckled to herself. "Yes he did. The poor boy. I truly did love him once, but do you know what happens when people are resurrected Hidenka? Their bodies aren't pure anymore, and neither are their souls. So my darling niece, I'm going to require a little help from you."

Naraku rushed behind her and pinned Hidenka against his chest. Furiously trying to escape, Kikyo approached her.

"Why me Kikyo?"

"My soul isn't pure any longer. I need part of another soul to fix that. The soul of my blood. Your grandfather is my father, and his blood will restore my soul." Kikyo placed her hand upon Hidenka's chest over her heart, and slowly began to draw it back. Hidenka screamed as a light appeared at Kikyo's fingertips and slowly grew larger. Once completely extracted Kikyo quickly placed it over her own heart and pushed, only to scream in pain herself as the soul was rejected and burned her hand.

Naraku threw Hidenka to the floor and dashed towards Kikyo. "You stupid bitch, don't lose it!" Naraku reached out for the soul, but his hand only went through it. Kikyo collapsed with the soul still connected to her. Panting heavily she disconnected it from her body and allowed it to float freely.

"That belongs to me." Naraku looked over his should in astonishment as Hidenka stood there growling, her red eyes fixated on the pair.

"You should be dead. Kikyo, what the hell have you done!"

Kikyo smirked at Naraku's confusion. "She's part demon you fool. She's showing the same effects as when Inuyasha lost his soul. Only humans die without their souls. Didn't you think about the consequences of your actions?" Naraku glared at her icily as she spoke. "Well, obviously you didn't then."

"I'm still waiting." Hidenka this time was focused on Kikyo as she spoke. Walking towards the fallen princess, Kikyo only smiled.

"Go ahead, kill me. It was pointless. This all was. You think I wanted to be resurrected?!" At this point Kikyo was screaming. Her anger obviously directed towards Naraku, but her speech continued towards Hidenka. "Sesshomaru was supposed to be mine! And then Inuyasha! And the two men I wanted ended up killing me. What makes you think I'd want to return to this world. The only reason I'd help Naraku was for revenge, but there's no point seeing as how it won't work. Take your soul and leave me to my peace." Kikyo glared at Naraku, daring him to contradict her. Finishing her statement, she turned and returned to the darkness, determined never to step foot in the world of the living again.

Naraku watched her departing form and eyed the floating soul that was between him and Hidenka. He took a step forward only to step back at Hidenka's warning growl. "So Hidenka, it's just you and me now."

"What about me you bastard?" Naraku's head jerked around and found Inuyasha glaring at him.

"So, the demon king has regained his composure I see." drawled Naraku.

"Heh. Don't be mistaken Naraku. I'm far from hanyou." Inuyasha eyes flashed blood red as he looked upwards at his tormentor. "However, you'd be amazed at what having your blood in the area does to your own aura." Naraku shifted uncomfortably. He can't mean because of the stupid wench. Why would she affect him?

"Because I'm of his blood, and that of my mother, one of the most powerful mikos alive." Hidenka came behind Naraku and threw her arm around his neck, this time drawing him against her. Placing her extended claws along his neck, she breathed into his ear. "Now tell me how to restore my mother, and I might let you leave here alive, maimed, but alive."

Naraku began to laugh. "If only it was that easy." Naraku grabbed her hand and dug it into his own neck, gasping in pain he wrenched it out and drew away from her. "I choose death over helping your kind. Besides, you're too late anyway." He slipped to his knees, still laughing as he began to cough out blood. Gasping for air Naraku finally collapsed, no light ever leaving his body. Hidenka turned towards her mother's soul to find it almost transparent. Grabbing her own and placing it before her heart, she felt a rush of warmth as it was absorbed back into her own body. Rushing to her fathers side, she used Tetsusaiga to break his bonds. Grasping the sword in his hand, he knelt as he felt his soul and heart return.

"Papa!" Hidenka cried and threw herself into his arms. Inuyasha put down the sword and wrapped his arms around his daughter.

"I knew you would never give up on me. It's not in the blood." He grinned as he looked at her. Turning towards Kagome's soul, he frowned at its faintness. "We're losing time. Hidenka, do you know where your mother is?" Hidenka shook her head and Inuyasha growled in frustration. Guiding the soul to his finger, he absorbed it into his own heart.

Hidenka gasped at his ability. "How were you able to do that? Kikyo tried with mine and was rejected, and we're of the same blood."

"This is one area where blood doesn't matter. To put it simply, she's my mate. And mates share one soul. Now come, we must find your mother before the soul tires of this world and goes to the heavens, no doubt where you mother's spirit is right now."


"So you think he's gonna make it in time again?"

"Shut up Kouga."

"I'm only saying. If he doesn't at least you'll have some company."

"He'll make it, he has to."

"So how'd it happen this time?"

"You make it sound like this is a natural occurrence for me, I'm not dead or anything."

"Well, not many people visit the heavens more than once."

"Alright, you got me there. Anyways, this is all because of Naraku, or should I say Onigumo."

"Onigumo? You mean Kikyo's stalker? Didn't he die?"

"No…look, I don't want to get into it now. I've made so many mistakes."

"Your heart wasn't clear then. Everything clears once you reach this place. Don't make yourself feel worse."

"If you say so…I just wish he would hurry."

"Now I feel bad…"

"Kouga…"


Inuyasha yelled in frustration as he broke yet another door in the palace. He and Hidenka were being followed by a small group of servants and advisors and anyone else who wanted to know what had happened to the king. Miroku had been notified and was on his way from the North. However, the only concern in the hanyou's mind was finding his mate, and finding her soon. "Will all of you stop fucking following me!" he screamed as he finally lost his patience. Most of the servants fled in fear while the advisors only shook their heads. Hidenka was at a lost herself. They had searched everywhere and found no trace of her mother.

"Hidenka!" Hidenka turned and found Kuromeru running towards her. Pausing to catch his breath, he stopped in front of her. "I…know…(gasp) where…"

"Get it out!" Inuyasha yelled.

"IknowhwereLadyKagomeis!"

Inuyasha stood stunned at the revelation. "Well…"

"O, right. She's in the tree."

"In the tree!" Hidenka and Inuyasha yelled in unison.

"How do you know this?" Hidenka looked warily at Kuromeru.

"Worry about that later! We have to save her." Inuyasha leapt forward and out the window towards the tree. Hidenka and Kuromeru looked towards each other and took off after him.