Chapter 13

"This is Naraku's newest hiding place." She said lifting both arms and presenting the land to them. "There is a barrier, but I have to make sure you can pass through first." She looked away from everyone as they nodded. She walked through the barrier with little effort. She then turned around examining it. "Hmmm.... I think you can enter. Just be careful." She said turning to look at the hideout. It looked more like a castle this time and she knew that in a castle, the princess is always in the highest tower. Kikyo tried to feel out Kagome's energy. She found it in the tower. She turned back around to find everyone through the barrier already.

"So do we split up now?" Miroku asked.

Kikyo nodded. "It would be best to save Kagome and distract Naraku at the same time." What she said made sense. "Kagome is in that tower over there." Kikyo pointed to the tower. "I will be in there protecting her and waiting for you." With that Kikyo disappeared into thin air.

"Well guys, you heard her. This may be our last fight with the evil villain himself." Inuyasha said looking around. "Is everyone ready for whatever happens?" He asked. Everyone stared at him and nodded. "Then lets do this." He finished and walked towards the castle, everyone following.

Kagome had almost drifted off to sleep when she heard her name being called.

"Kagome...Kagome..." Kagome yawned, rubbed her eyes, and then opened them. In front of her was what she thought was Kikyo. Kagome snapped awake.

"Kikyo? How did you get here?" She asked. Kikyo wasn't really looking at her. She was staring at the boy on her lap. She moved closer.

"My son..." She said longingly. "He looks so peaceful."

"Mm hm." Kagome agreed looking at the boy. She looked back at Kikyo. "He misses you terribly. Just for him to fall asleep, I had to tell stories about you. He's 10 now and he doesn't know his mother..."

"But I can't take him away. He'll grow up and I'll stay the same. Don't you think he'll wonder?" She asked.

"I think that he needs his mother more than anything, even if he grows older than you, even if he wonders, he needs you." Kagome said soothingly.

"I don't know. He seems to be fine with his father." Kikyo scrunched up her face. "That bastard." She turned away. "He shouldn't even be 1 yet, and he made him 10. I gave him the jewel so we could take it back later. I couldn't keep it in my position. But no, he uses it to make our son older than he is." Kikyo lowered her head.

"Kikyo, its not your fault. You didn't know what kind of man, demon, he was. You didn't know."

"Yes, I did. And still then I bared his child!" She turned around. "I love this child," She brushed some hair out of his face. "But the man that is his father, that is the man I hate." She said coldly. "Its now or never Kagome. This is our last battle, a battle to the death. Someone will die."

"What are you going to do about Haku?" She asked.

Fear struck Kikyo's emotionless eyes. "Well, Haku will turn back to the age he was supposed to be at this time when the sacred jewel is retrieved, I don't know what I'll do with him." She stopped. "Soon this body of mine will turn to ashes and dust, too soon for me to raise the child, but I will try." She looked at Kagome and smiled. "Will you be his God mother?" She asked.

Kagome was so surprised but she nodded happily. "Who will be the God father?" She asked.

"Naturally, it will be the man I fell in love with so long ago."

"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked dumbly.

"Yes, Inuyasha would be the perfect father." Kikyo smiled a weak smile.

"Uh...." A small voice said. They looked down at the boy. His eyes were open and staring at her. "Mama?" He asked. Kikyo smiled and lifted him up into her arms.

"That's right. I'm back sweetie." She smiled a warm smile at him. He started smiling too and laughing. Kikyo was twirling him all around the room and suddenly stopped. "You seem well." She exclaimed.

"I am so happy to see you mother!" He rejoiced.

"Really? Would you like to come live with me then?" She asked.

"Really?!" He asked with hope in his eyes. She nodded. "Yeah!" He started to dance around the room in happiness and they all laughed.

Everyone had split up. Inuyasha and Koga were going to save Kagome, Kaede and Shippo were looking around for guards and taking them out. Sango, Miroku, and Kirara were looking for Naraku in main house.

Miroku was holding up fingers. He held up one and they all took deep breaths, two and they were in ready position, three and they busted into the room. There was nothing in there except pots and bowls. They took a look in them Sango was looking in one that looked like a whirlpool.

"Miroku, what do you make of this?" She asked turning her head for a second to look at Miroku. Something from the pot grabbed her and tried to pull her in. She let out a cry and Miroku was at her side in a heartbeat. He was holding her around her waist and pulling her away from the bowl. She moaned and yelled a little and besides Miroku's grunts, that was the only sound. He finally managed to pull Sango away from the hand and fell backwards. Sango landed on top of him.

"Ow." He said. Sango almost jumped up from him. She looked at him.

"Are you alright Miroku?" She asked sweetly.

"Miroku sat up and rubbed his head. "Yeah, I'm fine, didn't feel a thing." He said smiling at her. She stared at him and he held her gaze. They were staring each other in the eyes intensely. Slowly they moved towards each other when Sango turned around and broke the gaze.

'Oh my gosh!' She thought. 'He almost kissed me!' She didn't think that that was so bad, but what about Inuyasha? "I think..." Sango started but gasped. She had an deadly look in her eyes. She lifted up her hand and swung it at Miroku. "Get your hand off my butt, monk." She said standing up. "I can never trust you for one second can I?" It was a rhetorical question and yet Miroku felt the need to answer it.

"But I-" Miroku started.

"Lets just get this over with monk." She said in a cold tone. She walked out of the room and Miroku sighed, got up off the floor, and followed her.

"Have you seen anyone yet Kaede?" The young fox asked.

"No, I haven't seen anyone yet. Did you?" She asked.

Shippo shook his head no. Kaede still looked around just in case when Shippo gasped.

TO BE CONTINUED