Chapter 12

Three Down, One to Go

ArwenRivendell: Here, continued, just for you. I'm glad you liked the chapter.

Shadw: Here, an update, though this ending isn't much more conclusive… Oh well, an update is an update… right? ((he he))

Sisana: Lol, am I that predictable or is it just that we think alike? Lol, none the less, I'm going to keep quiet on how close you were and on what. I hope this chapter's alright for you too. Let me know. : Nod:

inuyashas hun: Lol, I guess you'll have to read to find out about those two, and the rest of the group. Glad you liked the chapter. Hope you like this one too let me know.

Dogyoukaijane: It's ok, don't worry about it. If you click on the author's name in blue at the top, it will take you to their home page. Toward the bottom are all of their stories. In the summary they should have if the fics are sequels or not. But anywho, if you have any other questions, I would be happy to help, you can e-mail me if you want. Um, here is the next chapter. :nod:

Hiddenwings: I'm sorry it took me so long… but I'm done with finals now, so I can finish this up. Thank you for the review!

((Chapter 12))

Kira stopped her walk through the forest just outside of Kaede's village. Her senses were picking up a lot of Miko and youki energy. The hanyou closed her eyes and focused totally on hearing the world around her.

Her eyes snapped open. "Kagome…" The Taka breathed. She turned around and ran in the direction of the priestess' voice.

She was being moved.

Kira skidded to a stop as she looked up into the sky. "What the…?" She muttered as her eyes fell on a tower of Miko power shooting up into the sky. It was larger than anything the hanyou had ever seen.

A clash of blades broke her from the trance. I've got to help Kagome. She thought as she took off again. She was getting closer.

((V.S.))

Inu-Yasha held his ground as Ashura tried to push him back. The hanyou held one of the youkai's wrists in each of his hands, holding her swords away from his body. "You can't kill me." He growled.

Ashura frowned before quickly turning sideways and delivering a swift kick to the hanyou's stomach. "Watch me." She replied darkly. Inu-Yasha stumbled backward with the force.

"Damn—bitch." He growled, gasping to catch his breath. Ashura didn't reply, just stood with her swords ready for another attack. The hanyou grinned as he straightened and prepared for the youkai's strike. "Are you going to stand there, or attack?" I'll have to use Tetsusaiga's sheath to block her attacks. I just hope it'll hold up. As the hanyou finished his thought, he pulled his weapon off of his waist to block the youkai's swords. The sword and sheath clashed, sparks flying.

"At least you'll die fighting, mutt." Ashura taunted. Inu-Yasha only growled in reply.

The sheath suddenly began to pulse.

Tetsusaiga's nearby… The thought entered the hanyou's head. That means Sessho-maru too… The hanyou growled, his stance slipping as Ashura began to overpower him.

((V.S.))

"Get off… Don't touch me…" Kagome whispered. The fire grew in her chest, filling her whole body. "Don't touch me!" The priestess screamed, the bottled up energy leaving her body in a wave.

"What?" Sorano gasped as Miko power surged through his body. He was thrown backward, away from the girl. She got to her feet again.

"I am not as weak as I was before you son of a bitch." Kagome snarled. Purple Miko power burned around the priestess, her eyes locked on the youkai. "You took it away… You killed a part of me." The girl stepped forward. Sorano jumped to his feet as she got closer.

"You're just a human, how did you do that?" The youkai growled. He flexed his claws as she kept coming closer.

"I am more that a human now." Kagome replied. "I am going to kill you."

"Just try it." The youkai replied.

"Oh, don't worry, I will succeed."

((V.S.))

"Let's go, Miroku." Sango said as she ran out of Kaede's hut.

"Right behind you." The monk said, right on the slayer's heels. Both of them had felt the sudden spike of Miko power, and wanted to make sure everything was alright with the two priestess' that weren't in the village.

"Don't leave me behind!" Shippo shouted, jumping onto Kirara with the monk and demon slayer.

"Ye be careful!" Kaede called after them.

((V.C.))

Inu-Yasha was in trouble, but he wouldn't think about that. Come on… come to me, Tetsusaiga. The hanyou thought.

"Do you give up yet?" The youkai asked, throwing more power into her attack.

"No chance!" He growled. Gold orbs widened as a glimmer of steel caught his eye. Tetsusaiga… He reached his right hand out as the rusty Fang came at him. A grin flashed across his face as Ashura jumped back, stopping her assault.

"Where did you get that?" She snarled.

"That won't matter in a minute." The hanyou growled as he put the Fang's sheath back on his waist. "In a minute you will be dead." He finished, holding Tetsusaiga out in front of him as it transformed.

((Change over))

"My Lord! Why did you have Rin let go of the Tetsusaiga!" Jaken screeched next to the youkai Lord. Sessho-maru didn't reply right away.

"Yes, My Lord. Did you not want the sword?" Rin asked, walking on the youkai's right side.

"I have Tokijin, I have no need for Tetsusaiga any longer."

"Then why take it in the first place?" The child continued.

"I wanted to see how much the girl meant to my brother."

"Oh." Rin said, finishing the conversation.

"Rin, Jaken, stay here." Sessho-maru said, stopping. Both nodded as the youkai Lord walked on.

((Switch))

Kaede sat inside her hut, stirring the fire. Wind blew through the hut as the door was pushed aside. The priestess looked up in surprise. "Sessho-maru?" She questioned.

"I have come for my sword, priestess." The youkai said as he walked toward Tenseiga lying in the corner of the hut.

"But ye told Inu-Yasha—"

"My brother has Tetsusaiga back." Sessho-maru replied, picking up his own Fang. The priestess watched as the youkai Lord silently left the hut once again.

Does that mean Inu-Yasha is in trouble?

((V.C.))

Kira was able to smell Kagome, and a youkai. The hanyou ran on. She was right on top of them. "Kagome," Kira called as she stumbled into the youkai. A mix of fear, surprise, and aw ran through the Taka's veins as her gold eyes fell on the newly revived priestess.

Kagome's brown orbs were now glazed over; her hair whipped around her face as Miko power blazed around her body. The hanyou followed the pillar of power into the sky. Where did the power come from! Kira lowered her head back to Kagome's face. "Kagome?" The hanyou tried.

"I'll kill him for what he did to me!" Kagome yelled.

"What?" The Taka-hanyou turned to look at the youkai as it flexed its claws.

"Just try it, mortal." The youkai growled, ignoring Kira.

"Kira, I need to do this alone, please stay out of the fight." The priestess said. Kira turned to her in surprise.

"What? You are still in control?"

"Yes, now, if you would please move." Kagome replied with a nod. The hanyou nodded and stepped back, out of both priestess and youkai's path. She glanced at both as they took their fighting stances.

Inu-Yasha's going to kill me… Kira thought as the two attacked.

((Another fight))

The Inu-hanyou swung Tetsusaiga again, anger making his blows stronger. Inu-Yasha growled as Ashura held her ground and their swords sent lightning flying. "Do you think a sword will save your life, mutt?" The youkai laughed.

"No," the hanyou replied as he dropped to the ground, using his leg to sweep Ashura's feet out from under her. He jumped back up as the youkai fell. "My life does not need saving." The Inu growled as he pointed Tetsusaiga at Ashura's face. "Any last words before I kill you?"

"How about: Where is your little mortal bitch?" She replied with a grin.

"Kagome!" Inu-Yasha turned to look around him. The youkai took her chance and jumped to her feet.

"You shouldn't have turned away!" She yelled, swinging both of her swords down on Inu-Yasha. The hanyou turned back just as the sword in her left hand went through his chest.

"Wind Scar…" He growled as blood filled his mouth.

"What?" Ashura chuckled, unaware of the power still growing around Inu-Yasha's Fang. The hanyou lifted his head, a glint in his eye.

"Die." He hissed out, releasing his Wind Scar.

"No! How did you—" Ashura whispered as the blades of light destroyed her. Inu-Yasha fell to his knees in pain and exhaustion.

Kagome…I've got to find her… The hanyou thought as his left hand held onto the hole in his chest. He got to his feet, blood seeping through his fingers. Damn, he growled as he made his feet drag their way toward Kagome's scent. I can't let anything happen to her again…

((V.S.))

Kagome focused al of her power on the youkai coming toward her. She had to find a way to defeat him. I wish I had my bow… She thought again. Wait… The priestess stepped out of the youkai's path as an idea came to her.

((Flash Back))

'Kill him, or I will.' The priestess repeated. Inu-Yasha could feel the rage building in the spirit.

But you can't touch him—

'Wanna bet?' Kagome snapped. Inu-Yasha's mouth bared his fangs, and his knuckles cracked on their own.

What's going on? Kagome! The hanyou tried to move his mouth, but failed. Suddenly his legs began to move as he ran forward. "Die!' His voice yelled. What!

Sorano grinned as the half-breed came toward him. "You think you can defeat me?" He asked in mockery. The youkai jumped into the air just as Inu-Yasha slashed at him. The hanyou grinned as he followed Sorano with his eyes.

"You underestimate me." Inu-Yasha growled. Sorano watched in mild interest as the hanyou made the motion of pulling back an arrow. "I will kill you bastard." Inu-Yasha growled as a pink light filled the space in between his hands.

A bow…? Sorano wondered as the light took shape.

"Heh," Inu-Yasha said as he smirked.

"What?" Sorano said as the point of the pink arrow glowed brighter.

"Good bye Sorano." Inu-Yasha said as he released the arrow of pure Miko power. The youkai had no time to react before the arrow pierced his shoulder.

(( End Flash Back))

I've got to kill him this time. The woman thought as she made to draw back an arrow in an invisible bow. Sorano turned around to stare at the girl. He recognized that stance.

"Do you think that I will be fooled by that again, woman?" The youkai asked as he rushed the priestess.

"You have nothing to be fooled by. This time I will pierce your heart." Kagome growled. "Now, die."

She released the pure Miko arrow, the area around them flashing purple.

((V.C.))

Inu-Yasha fell against a tree, his breath rough as blood still bubbled in his throat. His golden orbs were glazed over as they searched the world around. A blinding flash of purple light shocked him.

That's Kagome's energy… The hanyou thought. He forced his body to move once again. Kagome… He thrust Tetsusaiga into the ground, using the Fang as a crutch.

His eyes widened as he saw Kagome, surrounded in her Miko power, in front of him. She held a Miko bow in her left hand, a look of determination on her face. In front of the priestess was Sorano, no longer moving, as an arrow stuck out of his chest. The hanyou was sure that the arrow had gone through the youkai's heart.

Inu-Yasha looked back up at the woman in front of him. "Kagome…" He muttered. His vision began to blur, and he swayed.

"Inu-Yasha!" Kagome's voice called to him as he fell to the ground. He coughed, blood spilling down his chin and onto the ground. "INU-YASHA!" The priestess screamed again.

((View Change))

Kagome stood in her stance as she stared at the youkai in front of her. She had done it, he was dead. Something moved in the trees in front of her. "It's Inu-Yasha's scent." Kira said as she came as close to the priestess as she could without the purifying power injuring her.

"Inu-Yasha!" Kagome cried as all of the Miko flames around her completely vanished. The silver haired hanyou fell out of the shadow of one of the trees, hitting the ground. "INU-YASHA!" The priestess screamed as the hanyou coughed up blood. She ran to his side, Kira right behind her.

"Be careful, Kagome." The Taka said as the priestess fell to her knees beside the Inu. The human nodded as she turned Inu-Yasha onto his back, his head resting in her lap.

"Inu-Yasha, can you hear me? Open your eyes!" Kagome shook his shoulder lightly.

"He's unconscious, Kagome." Kira said softly. The teen looked up at the Taka, tears filling her brown eyes.

"But he'll be alright… He has to be..." Kagome whispered, stroking the Inu-hanyou's hairline, brushing some of the hair off of his face. Kira hesitated to put her hand on Kagome's shoulder.

"Everything will be alright." The Taka whispered.

((Author's note))

Ok, guys. The next chapter is the last one. I hope this chapter was worth the wait. As soon as I get one more bit of information, I will finish chapter 13, so look forward to that soon. Alright, later people,

Myst