Disclaimer: I don't own them. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 36

Sliding up onto the top of the desk, Akiraneko glanced at Netawaki through lowered lashes as she crossed her long legs, turning her attention to her nails in disgust. She hated being in human form, the lack of claws alone made her feel like less than a female. "Why did you call me here?" she asked, boredom dripping from her voice as she inspected the cherry red nail polish for chips.

"Your sister was killed, was she not?"

Dropping her hands to her lap at the unexpected question, she slowly turned to glare at the human. "Who do you think you are? Yes, Katnu was murdered. She went looking for the Shikon jewel and that little bitch killed her. My sister thought the jewel would give her the freedom she desired. The miko had no reason to murder her because of it."

"She was careless. Your sister underestimated the miko's power."

"It should have been easy for her, Netawaki. That damned dog hadn't been seen; he wasn't even around at the time." Her emerald eyes bore into his brown, rage at her sister's death rocking through her. "Why did you call me here? It certainly wasn't to reminisce about my sister's failed attempt at freedom."

"This is about revenge, Akiraneko." He slowly grinned, refusing to back down from her glare. "About avenging Katnu's death. Your sister went after the miko at my request-she failed. You do want to avenge your sister's death, don't you?"

"I don't make the same mistakes my sister did. I know that the miko has her guard dog back, not to mention they have now teamed up with that damned taijiya." She dug her nails into the desktop, wishing she could drop the spell and use her claws on the strong wood. "With the power of their two jewels, I don't stand a chance. I would be killed before I even got an opportunity to see either jewel; the miko's guardian is that efficient."

"Yes, he is. Do you even know why the taijiya has joined them?" She watched as Netawaki opened his desk drawer, removing a velvet box from inside.

"I only assume it was to protect the jewels." The power shrouded within the box called to her. Netawaki pulled it out of her reach. "That kitsune who protects their family brought them to the taijiya as soon as the dog returned."

He lifted the lid of the velvet box, staring at the contents, a slight smirk covering his amusement. "If you lost a jewel, who would you call to retrieve it?" He turned the box, allowing her to view its royal satin interior.

The gasp of shock ricocheted around the room as a slow grin spread over her face, staring at the bright blue jewel resting in its silk bed. "You call the only ones able to get it back." She laughed. Glancing at his face, she quickly became serious. "You mean to tell me we are free? The taijiya doesn't hold the jewel?" She reached for the power he held in front of her, mesmerized by the strength emitting from it.

Yanking it away from her, he gave a malicious smile which made her seethe inside. "Yes, you are free to drop the concealment spell. There is no one to make sure you stay in line as long as I hold it. I have a job for you, Akiraneko. I need the shikon jewel from the miko."

Pausing in her removal of the spell that hid her real form, she assessed the human with disbelief. "You know that's impossible, her dog won't let me anywhere near her. I'd be dead for even looking at her wrong."

"Then get rid of the dog." he said with a smile.

"But it's the miko I want dead, Netawaki." she remarked coldly, completing the removal of the spell, staring as the salient claws emerged. "That bitch killed my sister."

"You can't get rid of the miko without first removing the hanyou. Trust me: dispose of Inuyasha and you will have a chance at the miko." Lifting a brow at the angry green glower of the cat youkai, he smirked. "You should have a much easier time getting rid of them than your sister had. I am sure there are many who would love to assist you."

She rolled over onto her knees, arching her back as she stretched along top of the expensive cherry desk. Forcefully digging her claws into the wood as she pulled herself back up into a seated position, she sat with a content smile on her face. His anger was palpable from the daggers he glared at her as she continued to knead the wood with her hands far longer than she needed to. Grinning inwardly at the marred desktop she left in her wake, she focused her attention back on Netawaki before addressing him. "I'm sure there will be plenty willing to get the power of the shikon from that bitch, not to mention get revenge on that taijiya."

"I knew you would see things my way." Netawaki slowly grinned. "Just bring the jewel back to me when you have it."

Akiraneko leaned forward to snag a claw on his tie, pulling him closer to her. "But there is a slight problem with your logic." She wrapped a hand around his neck, digging her claws into the soft flesh. "That bitch isn't the only one I want my revenge on."

The elation she felt at seeing the shock in his bulging eyes made her shiver. She almost laughed when he tried to speak. "Wh…wh…what are you…doing?" he gasped, his face turning red as he tried to pry her hand away from his neck.

"Don't you see, Netawaki? If you hadn't sent my sister after the miko, she would be alive today." A slight purr of contentment rolled off her chest as she dug her claws deeper into his skin. "I promised to get my revenge for her, and you just gave me the perfect opportunity. That jewel will belong to me, and I will get the shikon from that little bitch." Her green eyes slowly turned red as her demon powers strengthened, a trickle of blood came forth from each puncture wound as she gouged into his flesh deeper.

The scent of distress emanated off him as he squirmed within her grasp, the metallic odor of his blood getting stronger with every move he made. The stench of human life was almost overwhelming, choking her as it slowly seeped from his body. "Human beings are such pitiful creatures. You do realize you are slowly killing yourself with every movement you make?"

Netawaki stilted his movements immediately, attempting to stop the riotous jerking within her hold. Connecting with her crimson eyes, his own eyes glazed over with terror as he willed his body to slacken. A smile slowly formed across Akiraneko's face as he attempted to form words with his voiceless throat. He was begging for his life, but the incoherent gurgling that emitted from his mouth brought her to the pinnacle of delight.

"Don't worry; I will get the jewel from that little bitch like you asked of me. Not that it will matter to you by then." Her smile quickly turned malicious as she slowly squeezed into him, the warm flow of human blood trickling down her arm as his life seeped from him. "Once I take care of the miko, I will have avenged my sister. With the shikon in my possession I can bring her to life."

Looking into his eyes, she noticed the absence of feeling within their glassy depth. The stench of death assaulted her as she relinquished her hold on him, watching as he slumped to the ground in one fluid movement. "One down," She whispered, ignoring the body as she wiped the blood from her hands onto his jacket. Seemingly satisfied with the job she had completed, she headed to the desk and picked up the waiting velvet box. Slowly opening it to reveal the bright blue jewel that lay within, Akiraneko felt a rush of power flow through her at viewing it. "Finally, a youkai has the jewel that will grant us all our freedom. No more hiding behind concealments for the sake of the humans."

Languorously she removed the jewel from its place of rest before transferring it to her own neck. "It's time to discover how my jewel works and finish the rest of my quest. I must find the miko and her hanyou- they will be destroyed."

"Oi, wench. Get off me!" Inuyasha growled, trying to pry the unrelenting fingers from their exploration on top of his head.

"I can't help it. You keep them hidden so often now. It's like having my birthday when you bring them out, it's so rare." She slapped his hands away, reaching for the appendages as she stood on her tiptoes. "It's not my fault that I love your ears! They're so soft. I could do this all day."

Sighing in defeat, the hanyou gave up his struggle as she voraciously attacked his ears. Turning his attention to their companions as each observed the couple with varying degrees of amusement, he attempted to distract himself from Kagome's adamant attention and focus on the problem on hand. "Why the hell aren't the spells working?"

"I dunno, Inuyasha." Shippo remarked, his face quickly turning purple as he attempted not to laugh at the situation in front of him. "You sure you want it back? It looks like Kagome missed…"

"Shut up, Shippo." he growled, lunging after the kitsune.

Kagome watched the two take off away from the group, a disappointed frown crossing her face at losing her free pass at access to the hanyou's ears. "Does this happen often, Yuka?" she asked as she reached forward to inspect a lock of the wolf's bright red hair.

"Never, it's always been something I could control myself."

"It shouldn't be happening." Shinju said quietly as she absently petted Kirara. "I think something happened. The jewel might have changed hands or something. If a youkai has a hold of it, they would have the power to remove the concealment of all youkai in a small area surrounding them."

"So, whoever has the jewel must be nearby?" Makoto turned to watch the hanyou chasing the kitsune. "Shippo! We've got a lead!"

Shippo slowed to a walk, enabling the hanyou to attack him from behind. The two tumbled forcefully to the ground, Inuyasha straddling the kitsune with his hands wrapped around his neck. Struggling against his assailant, Shippo tried to divert Inuyasha's attention by pleading with the hanyou. "They have a lead, Inuyasha! Did you hear that?"

"I don't care! You're in the middle of an ass kicking!"

"A lead, Inuyasha! A lead!" Shippo managed to wiggle himself out of the strangling grasp and unseat the hanyou. Scrambling to his feet, he took off running, Inuyasha close behind. "Kagome!"

The miko turned to watch the familiar, yet strange sight of the hanyou chasing the adult kitsune. "Some things never change." she muttered with amusement. With a defeated sigh, she called to the hanyou. "Inuyasha, Heel!"

His irritated growl arrived before him, his punitive glare boring into her as the kitsune laughed gleefully after him. The spell dropped him softly at Kagome's feet as he continued to glower at the miko. "Why do you always do that?" he demanded, waiting for the spell to release him.

"Cause you never listen!" She growled as she flipped a strand of her chestnut hair from out of her face. Sighing, she leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on his unsuspecting lips. "We needed to talk with you guys. You're here now…no harm done."

A loud snap echoed around the forest surrounding them. Oddly it came as a familiar and comforting noise to the miko and hanyou, giving them fond memories of the past. Slowly turning to Makoto, both were surprised to realize that he wasn't standing anywhere near either of their female companions.

"What did my Dad tell you last time?" Yuka screeched, grabbing the kitsune by the clothes on his chest. "Stop touching my tail!"

"I didn't…I wasn't…damn it, Yuka!"

"Sometimes I think you want him removing body parts!" she snorted, shoving him away from her with enough force to cause him to crumple to the ground. "You've got your own tail, Shippo. Stay away from mine!" Pulling her tail against her body and away from the kitsune, Yuka bared her fangs and growled at Shippo.

"We had a reason for getting you guys back here. I have a question Shippo…has this ever happened before?" Shinju looked down at the kitsune, her Kusarigama clenched so tightly in her grasp her knuckles were turning white, a sign of her obvious upset. "I've never heard of a time when concealments had been removed like this."

"As far as I know, they never have been." Shippo shifted on the ground beneath Yuka's feet, before slowly trailing his gaze up her legs. "At least, not since we started wearing the concealments to protect ourselves from ignorant humans who kept thinking we were monsters."

"Keh, that hasn't changed much."

"Actually it's probably worse since they are so used to seeing us look like them." Shippo's eyes didn't stray from his goal; he lowered his voice as he spoke to the hanyou. "I always wondered what they wore under there…didn't you?"

"N..no!" Inuyasha stumbled, staring in shock as the kitsune dared to catch a view beneath the Wolf Youkai's short skirt without getting caught. "What the fuck is wrong with you, Shippo?"

The commotion caused Yuka to whip around and catch the kitsune in the act. "What are you doing?" Quickly flattening the skirt against the back of her thighs, she stepped away from his view, glaring at him. "You are such a pervert!" With swift kick, Yuka connected her foot with his stomach, knocking the kitsune back about five feet before storming away.

"We've got to get in the village. If the person with the jewel is nearby we might be able to get it back." Shinju sighed, turning to follow the wolf down the path as Kirara followed at her feet.

Watching as the two girls took off, Makoto turned to Shippo, a malicious grin on his face. "No one ever believes me when I tell them you are the real lecher. Even I couldn't do that."

"Like you've never wondered what it looked like up there? I just did what you would do if given a chance." Shippo scrambled to his feet, dusting himself off as he began to walk after their companions. "I thought we were going to figure out why the spells came off, so why are we headed to the village?"

"Cause Shinju thinks it has to do with a youkai having a hold of the jewel. It's possible they are in the village right now; that might be why the spells were removed." Kagome explained as she climbed on Inuyasha's back. The eerie sense of foreboding rose in the air the closer they got to the village. Kagome couldn't help but wonder just what it held in store for them, what answers they would discover there. Unconsciously, she reached up to rub the soft white ear above her, finding that a warmth of comfort rolled through her at the touch. She enjoyed the moment, knowing her peace would most likely be short-lived.

The smoky scent in the air irritated his throat and eyes. The rancid scent of burnt flesh surrounded them all even though they hadn't even gotten into the village yet. He recognized it to be a mixture of death, blood and smoldering human skin. Part of the village was already up in flames, the humans in those huts hadn't stood a chance. Those who had managed to escape the fires had to fight the youkai once they reached freedom.

Death was everywhere.

Unconsciously tightening his grip on the legs wrapped around his waist, a sense of calm flowed through him at the gentle squeeze he received around his shoulders in return. It always amazed him that they always seemed to know exactly what the other needed, when they needed it most. The gentle coughing that erupted from his passenger caught his attention, as did the sudden urge to protect her from the sight they were witnessing. "Oi, are you alright?"

"Yeah, the smell is just a little overwhelming."

Wanting to ascertain that information with his own eyes, he slowly pulled her off his back and gave her a good once over. Her eyes appeared a little irritated from the smoke, but she seemed to be handling it well. The only thing that really bothered him was the fact that he knew she was desensitized to the horror they faced in front of them, having witnessed things like this in the past on several occasions. Seemingly satisfied that his first priority was really doing alright, he turned to assess the rest of their companions who were each standing in their own states of shock next to them.

"Wow, I haven't seen anything like this in a long time." Shippo said quietly, his green eyes surveying the scene with disgust. "It's moments like this that I don't like knowing I'm a youkai like them."

"Cause you ain't a youkai like them." Inuyasha growled, frustration marring his brows as he buried his hands in his haori. "Fuck, I don't even know where to start. I suppose we need to take care of the bastards first." Yanking Tetsusaiga from its sheath, he turned around and grabbed Kagome's hand, dragging her behind him. "Come on wench. Get your arrows ready; we've got work to do."

The rest of their companions followed on their heels, searching out the youkai who had attacked the village. There were several minor youkai blocking their path before they even entered the village. With a flick of her wrist, Shinju's Kusarigama whipped out in a flawless arc, slicing through four of the seven youkai before she yanked it back to her waiting hand.

"Keh, leave some for the rest of us." Inuyasha snorted, his eyes lighting with surprise at the unexpected skills of the exterminator as he sliced through one of the remaining youkai.

A cry of "Foxfire" echoed around them indicating that Shippo had taken care of one of the lingering youkai. Inuyasha turned to watch as Shinju tossed her scythe again at the final enemy. The determined glint in her eye spoke to him, he knew she was angry and felt she was to blame for the situation in the village.

A gentle touch on his arm shifted his focus to the petite brunette standing next to him. Giving her a slight smile, he knew she had seen the look in the taijiya's eye as well- she was far too observant not to. Her eyes spoke of the concern she was feeling toward her new friend, knowing that the determination that was currently her strength could turn into a weakness later if she didn't learn to cooperate with the rest of them.

Kikyou's determination to defeat Naraku had almost been everyone's undoing at one time on their journey. Her belief that she had a purpose to defeat him on her own, that only she would be the one with the capability to do it had almost cost them all their lives. She had learned her lesson the hard way, forced to hide in secret to recover from the damage their enemy had caused when he had attacked.

Because of her choices, he had almost lost Kagome as well. She'd had to stay at home for several weeks to recover from her injuries; he hadn't left her side the whole time.

He hoped that Shinju would realize that they were in this together, and not expect to defeat Netawaki on her own.

He didn't realize Netawaki was already dead.

A/N:

Thanks for your patience in this update. As many of you know since this story was last updated I have created a one-shot for a friend's birthday called, Atmosphere. I am extremely proud of the work I did on it. If you haven't read it yet…please take a little time to do that. It was a lot of fun to write. My writing style is changing and I intend to go back and re-edit the beginning chapters of this fiction to where I feel like they are more my writing. In the meantime, yes, I am still working on this story.